A BAN on large scale development in Newcastle could be lifted next September.
A freeze on major schemes was imposed two years ago in response to concerns that the area’s sewerage network was out of date and the sewage treatment plant at the harbour was struggling to cope with increased demand.
It has now emerged the moratorium on large scale development could be lifted in nine months’ time as work on a £7m upgrade and extension of Newcastle’s sewage treatment plant will be well underway.
During a public meeting in the town last week to unveil details of the multi-million pound scheme, it emerged the treatment plant upgrade will ensure it meets rigorous future discharge standards for the next 25 years.
Work to upgrade the facility starts on January 9 and is expected to pave the way for the Environment Agency to lift its objection to large scale development.
The news has been welcomed by a number of local politicians, including South Down Assemblyman Jim Wells and Newcastle councillor Carmel O’Boyle.
Mr. Wells said while the ban on housing schemes may be lifted, he believes Newcastle will not see a rash of planning approvals for new apartment developments in the resort in the future.
“The inadequacy of the sewage treatment works in Newcastle which delayed new development has meant that a new policy governing high density developments is now in place which means the resort has seen the back of large scale apartment development,” he said.
“There are around 14 buildings sites in Newcastle where not a single brick has not been laid in three years due to the current economic situation which has impacted heavily on the construction industry,” he added.
Councillor O’Boyle believes the sewage plant upgrade will pave the way for more investment opportunities.
“We simply could not have gone on for much longer without this work being done, and while it has resulted in development delays, it did mean that Newcastle moved to the top of the list for those most in need of the provision of such a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant.
“When the upgrade is completed, not only will our bathing water at last become safe, and we can move towards getting Blue Flag status, but the restrictions on planning can be lifted next September which will mean work for builders and more affordable homes for young people in Newcastle.”
The Newcastle councillor said if she and others had not kicked up a fuss about the state of the sewerage system two years ago, building would have continued, flooding would have been exacerbated, and much-needed improvement work would not have been carried out.