Police urged to reveals plans for Portaferry ex-PSNI base

27 August 2025

POLICE chiefs have been asked to spell out their plans for Portaferry’s former PSNI base.

The appeal has been issued by local councillor, Joe Boyle, who is keen see the vacant station redeveloped following its closure in 2016 as part of a PSNI cost-saving initiative.

The closure was part of a broader strategy to rationalise the police estate and address budget constraints and while the move was initially suspended for review, it was ultimately rubber-stamped.

The PSNI said the closure of Portaferry police station was part of a larger trend of base closures across Northern Ireland, driven by the need to cut costs and adapt to changing policing needs.

Nine years on, Cllr Boyle is seeking answers from the PSNI’s Lands Estate Department on the future thinking or plans for the village’s former base.

He said when it became evident that police were withdrawing from Portaferry and entering a new phase of policing, he asked if the building could be gifted to the community.

Cllr Boyle said the base was placed on the market and while he understands a sale was agreed, it fell subsequently through and is now part of the PSNI’s land portfolio.

The local councillor said he previously met with Portaferry Regeneration officials, PSNI and Department for Communities to discuss the future of the Coach Road site.

“The location of the base is at one of three notable entrances into Portaferry and the reality is that everyone is greeted with a significant, derelict and deteriorating building as they drive past,” said Cllr Boyle.

“There is significant space that could be utilised as a community business hub with ample accommodation for office space and business opportunities.

“The former base is located adjacent to the current Brewery Yard business facility already home to a range of several business units, owned and managed by Portaferry Regeneration Ltd.”

Cllr Boyle, who is a member of the recently created Local Enterprise Partnership, said around £4.2m in funding is available for investment across the Ards and North Down Council area over the next three years.

He said supporting business infrastructure including industrial land and commercial development and supporting business growth are key elements of this fund.

“What is key is having ideas and thinking that suits the criteria and can deliver on positive and sustainable business and economic development opportunities that will hopefully benefit the economy, area and locality where projects have been identified,” added Cllr Boyle.

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