Hopes to raze empty Irish Street buildings

Hopes to raze empty Irish Street buildings

29 May 2024

PLANS for the redevelopment of the former Irish Street police station site in Downpatrick have taken another step forward.

Ambitious plans have been drawn up to transform the former base and a number of empty, adjacent buildings, one of which planners have agreed can be bulldozed due to its condition.

The approval recommendation to raze the building to the ground is included in a so-called delegated list of applications which planners published last week.

Work on a development brief to transform the former police station and adjacent buildings has been completed, with the near two-acre site stretching back to St Patrick’s Avenue and includes the Irish Street car park.

The former police base was purchased by the Department for Communities which alongside Newry, Mourne and Down Council is driving the regeneration initiative which both organisations hope will help revitalise the town centre.

With the emphasis on developing a multi-use scheme at the development site, which has attracted interest from a number of leading retailers, it is hoped it will lead to social, community and economic renewal.

The Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group is also set to play a key role in the economic regeneration of the town.

The vision is to transform the Irish Street site into a “vibrant, attractive and cohesive place” that can act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the town.

It is understood that the preferred use of the site should feature a mix of commercial, retail, hospitality and housing uses to help “enhance the existing vibrancy and streetscape” for the benefit of those working, visiting and shopping in the immediate area and travelling through it.

In addition, the scheme should seek to contribute to the social, community and economic renewal of the area.

An official has been appointed by the Department for Communities to oversee the project who will also monitor progress, liaise with stakeholders, ensure proper financial accountability and that the scheme’s aims and objectives are met.

It has also been confirmed that consideration will be given to providing an urban development grant to the successful developer, with the cost shared between the government department and local authority. The developer must also seek approval from both organisations before the formal planning application is submitted. 

While the former police base enjoys protected status, potential developers have been asked to come up with an imaginative plan for the historic building, with politicians confident the development of the former PSNI station and adjacent car park has the potential to transform the Irish Street area and act as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the town centre.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath has welcomed an update on the Irish Street scheme he was provided with by the Department for Communities.

He said he has worked closely with the Department to see the scheme delivered.

“Local people will soon see a significant development with the dismantling of 39 Irish Street. This will happen once planning approval is granted and the Department hopes that this will be happening very soon,” Mr McGrath continued.

“Once this milestone is reached, I believe there will be a greater impetus to get the project moving at a greater pace. This is certainly what I will be calling for.”

Mr McGrath said it is also his understanding that the consultancy team is now putting together a proposed design which is expected to be outlined at a meeting this afternoon.

“We do not get many opportunities such as the Irish Street redevelopment and the regeneration of Downpatrick,” he continued.

“We absolutely need to get this right and I fully believe that we will get this right. The cross-party support is there to get the right outcome for Downpatrick as we all know the need that exists.”

Mr McGrath also warned that the multi-faceted regeneration scheme is “too important to get wrapped up in party politics”.

He added: “What the people of Downpatrick need now is a concerted effort from all parties to work together and deliver for them.”