Hopes for formal public planning over public realm in Downpatrick

12 June 2024

FORMAL planning approval is being sought for a public realm scheme at Church Street and De Courcey Place in Downpatrick.

The news was confirmed at Monday night’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Tourism Committee when it was also revealed that work on submitting a business case for the eagerly anticipated scheme is progressing.

An area between the Down Recorder office and Pillar Well Lane in Church Street will be the focus of attention for environmental improvements in Church Street, in tandem with De Courcey Place off lower English Street.

The upgrade of both areas was identified in the Downpatrick Living High Streets Framework, which is being spearheaded by the town’s Regeneration Working Group, Department for Communities and Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

A steering committee was established to oversee the work and a consultation process was carried out in April when the detail of the environmental improvement scheme was mapped out.

To date, new bus shelters have already been provided in Church Street, in tandem with a mural of Downpatrick rock band Ash and various shop front improvements, with the work designed to improve the gateway entrance to the town centre.

New seating and lighting and the provision of additional planters is proposed for nearby De Courcey Place.

Significant investment has been pumped into Market Street, Irish Street and Scotch Street over recent years, with politicians delighted the focus is now on Church Street and De Courcey Place, both of which are in need of an upgrade.

Downpatrick councillors Oonagh Hanlon and Philip Campbell are pleased that formal planning approval is being sought for the public realm scheme.

They say the investment is necessary to ensure Downpatrick is a welcoming and vibrant town for residents and visitors

Cllr Hanlon said the work in Church Street will improve a main gateway into the town, enhancing its visual appeal and making it more attractive by improving frontages and pathways.

“The council is also seeking to redesign De Courcey Place into a so-called pocket park offering residents and visitors a shared space to meet and socialise. The proposal includes street furniture and planting schemes to improve the environment,” she continued.

“Approval to submit a planning application and business case for funding is really welcome news,” she said. “Church Street is a key gateway area and following on from enhancements last year this will transform this area of the town.”

Cllr Hanlon had lobbied for improvements to De Courcey Place given its location as a main heritage area, highlighting the need to ensure the area is welcoming for residents and tourists.

Meanwhile, work is continuing on a £350,000 resurfacing scheme in Church Street.

The project is being jointly funded by two leading government departments and is expected to take five weeks to complete, with a 250 metre section of roadway and footpath from the Belfast Road roundabout to Pillar Well Lane is being resurfaced.

The Department for Infrastructure and Department for Communities (DfC) are financing the resurfacing scheme.

Stormont Roads Minister John O’Dowd said the DfC has made a “significant contribution” of £275,000 to the resurfacing scheme as part of its regeneration plans for Downpatrick town centre.

He said the resurfacing scheme will make a major contribution to improving and modernising the quality of the public realm at a key gateway into Downpatrick.

During resurfacing, lane restrictions will be in place from Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm, with on-street parking restricted along the extent of the works.

The resurfacing work will also require night time road closures between 7pm and 6am from Monday to Friday. Dates for these closures are yet to be finalised and a further update will be issued shortly.

Subject to favourable weather conditions, the works are expected to be substantially complete by Friday, July 5.

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