Delegation presses Downpatrick’s case

Delegation presses Downpatrick’s case

24 August 2016

AN SDLP delegation has met with a senior Newry, Mourne and Down Council official to highlight the need to prioritise the economic, social and recreational regeneration of Downpatrick.

The delegation was spearheaded by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie who was joined by Colin McGrath MLA and councillors Dermot Curran and John Trainor for the meeting with Marie Ward, the local authority’s Director of Development.

Confirming the meeting is one of a series the SDLP plans to have with senior council officials, Miss Ritchie said the debate focused on the principal priorities for the implementation of the so-called Downpatrick Master Plan which was initially unveiled a number of years ago.

The MP said the plan is designed to ensure the economic and social regeneration of the town, with full participation by traders and the financial sector, with an emphasis on tourism, heritage, tackling town centre congestion and the revitalisation of its economic core, boosting town centre trade and a potential new hotel development.

“It is vitally important that the various priorities concentrating on tourist and economic development sustain existing jobs and create new job opportunities,” said Miss Ritchie.

The MP said it is worth remembering that the Master Plan stated Downpatrick “will be rejuvenated as an energetic, vibrant and forward thinking town in which all its residents can take pride.”

She said the document stated the town’s “unique historic environment, particularly its early Christian heritage, will be leveraged and complemented by exemplary development, establishing Downpatrick as a special visitor destination.”

Miss Ritchie argued that in order to develop what she described as the “shared vision for Downpatrick,” the deployment of resources and investment of effort are required by central government departments and agencies, working with the local authority.

Mr McGrath said it is important a number of initiatives are undertaken to “put Downpatrick on the map again.”

He added: “We must see capital developments that support business, retail and recreational activities. I would also like to see the business community complement this work and help make Downpatrick a destination for people to come and visit, shop and stay in. I will work with the MP, councillors and council officers to ensure that this is delivered for local people.”