Flood defences are examined in resort

Flood defences are examined in resort

5 December 2012

COUNCILLORS in Newcastle met last week to discuss a series of issues in and around the town.

Prior to the meeting getting underway, councillors Carmel O’Boyle and Dessie Patterson met with Rivers Agency official Conor Mallon and the Housing Executive’s Liam Gunn at Dunwellan Park, off the Castlewellan Road.

The talks focused on flood defences which have been provided at this part of the town along the banks of the Burren River.

Councillor O’Boyle said the defences appear to be working well and said gullies in this part of the resort will be inspected in the New Year.

She said it has also been established that land on the Dunwellan side of the flood defence is the property of the Roads Service and sometimes floods and that this issue will be looked at.

Also last week, it was confirmed that old toilets at Castle Park will be replaced as part of any new regeneration scheme at this part of the resort. Councillor O’Boyle said Down Council intends to discuss the regeneration issue in the near future.

It also emerged at last week’s meeting that problems with cleaning a section of beach in front of the Slieve Donard Hotel will be resolved. This section of the beach is leased by the Royal County Down Golf Club from the Crown Estate.

Councillor O’Boyle, who chaired last week’s meeting, explained the golf club hopes to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Down Council to allow the local authority to clean this part of the beach.

Turning to traffic congestion at the top of the town where three roads converge into one at the area around the Donard Hotel, councillor O’Boyle said work is continuing to address the problem. She said the item will remain on the agenda of the Newcastle area councillors meetings until agreement is reached.

Newcastle councillors are also keeping a major interest in the Oaklee Housing Association’s plans to redevelop the former South Eastern Regional College building in Donard Street.

A Planning Service recommendation to approve the construction of 15 apartments and a house at this part of the town was removed from the planning schedule last week to allow further talks on the issue. Newcastle councillors say the site is unsuitable for social housing.

Turning to proposals for a new leisure centre in Newcastle, Councillor O’Boyle confirmed the former St. Mary’s Girls’ School site at Shanslieve Drive is for sale and that Down Council is looking at the possibility of acquiring it.