Working together can help to bring change in Downpatrick

Working together can help to bring change in Downpatrick

26 April 2023

DOWNPATRICK area Sinn Fein council election candidate Philip Campbell is determined to play a full part in helping drive the social and regeneration of the town.

Mr Campbell, one of three candidates chosen by his party to contest the five seats up for grabs in the district electoral area, said it is important to look at the town in the round and focus on the things that can bring about positive change.

A member of the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group, he has a full appreciation of the key areas that need to be developed and how to utilise the town’s assets to make it a better place for its residents, business community and visitors.

Mr Campbell — who also helped set up Downpatrick Town Committee — says it’s vital that all interests work together, insisting the emphasis has to be on working in partnership, not silos, keeping the “bigger picture” in mind at all times.

The Sinn Fein candidate wants everyone to sign up for a future vision for Downpatrick which the town’s regeneration working group is helping frame with assistance from the Department for Communities.

“We all need to work collectively and together for the good of Downpatrick to help bring about change. We have so much here and it is now about joining all the dots and that is beginning to happen which is exciting and will help develop the town’s full potential,” Mr Campbell continued.

“There is now a different view about how we change the town and a lot of people are coming on board which is refreshing and provides renewed hope for the future.”

Mr Campbell says “small, incremental wins and changes” can help transform Downpatrick and is in no doubt that the “buy-in from a wide range 

of groups will pave the way for future success”.

He says he is keen to see the potential of the former Irish Street police station site fully realised and believes this will happen as part of Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Department for Communities long-term vision for Downpatrick.

“We need to develop the site to help the people of the town, that is the driving factor in all of this. It offers massive potential and people can see the positives of developing what is a very large site in the heart of the town,” said Mr Campbell.

“I have a unique knowledge of what is happening at a grassroots level which will be important if elected. The best outcomes as far as I am concerned are those that will benefit the people and that has to be the prime focus.”

Mr Campbell is also conscious of the need to focus on service provision at the Downe Hospital, stabilising services that are already in place and lobbying for more. He said people in rural areas deserve parity in terms of hospital provision and should not be disenfranchised in any way because of where they live.

Mr Campbell also believes that investing in local sports facilities can pave the way for clubs to grow and is keen to do all he can, in partnership with others, to provide more fit-for-purpose facilities to help clubs reach their full potential. 

He said if there are available facilities to support teams across the area, players and members can be retained and also help attract people to the town, providing an opportunity to support local business and further strengthen the economy.

“Businesses need to be supported, but we need to look at how we bring all elements of the town together and that obviously includes the retail and hospitality sector, the heritage and arts sector and local sports and recreation provision which there is an abundance of,” said Mr Campbell.

He believes the current Down High School site, which will become vacant when the school’s new multi-million pound campus opens at the Strangford Road, offers an opportunity to be developed as a major new sporting hub.

“Dunleath Park is no longer fit for purpose in my opinion and my vision is a new sports hub and expanding the town to include the Quoile River and link it via new pathways to the town centre which is entirely feasible. Opening the Quoile area will also help our tourism offering and this will boost the business sector,” Mr Campbell continued.

“Currently there is nowhere for people to congregate in Downpatrick to help bring communities together and I believe we need to lead the way to allow that to happen and help the town grow. For me, the bottom line is looking at what we already have and building around that.”