Regeneration plans to regenerate buildings in boost for Irish Street

Regeneration plans to regenerate buildings in boost for Irish Street

17 July 2019

WORK to secure all the necessary land required to pave the way for an ambitious multi-million pound regeneration initiative in Downpatrick’s Irish Street in may not be completed until the end of the year.

The town’s former police base — which forms part of the overall development site — has already been purchased, but there are a number of adjacent buildings and pockets of land which need to be bought, it has been confirmed.

The old police station enjoys protected status and will remain a key feature of the proposed redevelopment project which, in addition to new retail and commercial space, could also include an element of housing provision.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Department for Communities are driving the regeneration project, with suggestions that the old police station could be utilised as an attractive entrance feature.

The heritage value of the Irish Street area is something council officials are not only keen to preserve, but build upon as they work with the government department to maximise the potential of the development site which also includes the Irish Street car park.

Ambitious plans for a new retail and commercial centre at the Irish Street site, which stretches back as far as St Patrick’s Avenue, were unveiled in December 2017 with local council and government officials working to deliver the multi-million pound town centre regeneration initiative designed to bring new investment to the town.

Council officials are determined to deliver the major scheme and are excited at the development potential the Irish Street site offers and want to maximise its potential.

They have confirmed that they are in the final throes of acquiring all the land they need before a development brief can be compiled and sent out to seek expressions of interest from the private and commercial sectors.

While council officials hope to conclude this process shortly, they have admitted that it could be the end of the year before everything is done and dusted to pave the way for a major redevelopment site in the heart of the town.

Parking provision is also expected to form a key part of the Irish Street redevelopment initiative with any spaces potentially lost as a result of the investment expected to be provided elsewhere.

Council officials favour a mixed use of the sprawling site featuring retail, commercial and residential developments designed to “bring the heart back into Downpatrick”.

Given various investment plans for the Newry area, senior council officials are keen to show their backing for new development in the county town via new investment in Irish Street.

Leading retailers including Marks and Spencer and Home Bargains, along with several other big names, are reportedly keen to invest in Downpatrick, but at present cannot identify suitable accommodation to meet their respective needs.

Council officials hope that once the development brief for the Irish Street site is completed, outlining what they would like to see developed at this part of town, it will generate significant interest.

The brief aims to encourage developers to come forward to redevelop the area, while there are also plans to work alongside the local community on the design of the site to maximise not only the site’s potential, but its historical heritage.

Council officials are confident the proposed redevelopment can act as a catalyst for additional town centre investment, increasing footfall and providing a boost for existing Downpatrick businesses which have been at the backbone of the town’s economy for many years.

They say the development brief is designed to encourage third parties to come forward with viable proposals for the Irish Street site that will result in sustainable regeneration in the town centre.