Council opposed to arcade project

Council opposed to arcade project

1 February 2012 - by DAVID TELFORD

LOCAL politicians have criticised plans for a new amusement arcade opposite the Down Arts Centre.

They say the Scotch Street area in Downpatrick is “totally inappropriate” for what is being described as an ‘adult gaming and amusements lounge.’

The Planning Service was recommending the proposal should get the green light, but has agreed to defer the matter to allow an office meeting to discuss the application in greater detail.

The decision was taken at Monday night’s meeting of Down Council after a number of councillors expressed reservations about an amusement arcade being developed in an area the local authority plans to develop as the ‘cultural quarter’ of Downpatrick.

Criticism of the proposal was led by Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe, who claimed it would result in a lot of young people “hanging about the Scotch Street area.”

He continued: “We don’t need this. It took this council a number of years to close an amusement facility in Market Street.

“Down Council and the Department for Social Development have invested a lot of money in Scotch Street and I don’t think this part of the town is suitable for what’s being proposed.”

Councillor John Doris also expressed concern about the application and suggested the views of councillors should be raised with Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood, the man in charge of the Planning Service.

“Developing the proposed facility in Scotch Street is simply inappropriate,” added Councillor Doris.

Councillor Cadogan Enright said Down Council wanted to develop Scotch Street for tourism and the arts, and called for the planners’ recommendation to be reviewed.

Planning official Annette McAlarney said that, given the strong views of councillors, the decision to recommend would be deferred to allow a meeting to take place.