‘Out of date’ amenity centre must be replaced

‘Out of date’ amenity centre must be replaced

17 July 2013

A LOCAL politician has urged to Down Council to find a suitable location for a new civic amenity site in Downpatrick.

Councillor Liam Johnston, who has been campaigning for a new amenity site since his election eight years ago, says it is “essential” one is found quickly.

He said the number of people using the current facility at Cloonagh Road has increased dramatically in recent years and that there is every reason to suggest this trend will continue.

Councillor Johnston believes it is rather ironic that the district’s biggest town has the smallest civic amenity site compared to what is currently available in Ballynahinch and Castlewellan.

Several years ago, Down Council expressed an interest in buying the former Northern Ireland Water headquarters which is next door to the local authority’s Cloonagh Road facility to provide a modern civic amenity site. The bid wasn’t successful.

Council officials are understood to have looked at a number of potential sites to house a new amenity centre, including land at its former administrative base at the Strangford Road and off the Ardglass Road on the outskirts of the town. Both were deemed unsuitable.

Councillor Johnston warned that with increased emphasis on recycling to meet stringent EU targets, Down Council needs to focus its energy on securing a site for a new amenity centre in Downpatrick.

“The current facility is out of date. We are now into the traditionally busy summer period which will see the number of people using civic amenity sites across the district increasing substantially,” he continued.

“Modern facilities have been provided in other towns and there is a need for this to happen in Downpatrick. The current facility at Cloonagh Road has become a victim of its own success.”

Councillor Johnston said concern has been expressed about the safety of the Downpatrick facility which has never been busier. He also praised the staff who work at Cloonagh Road for their efforts to keep the place running like clockwork.

He added: “The need to develop a new civic amenity site in Downpatrick is nothing new. The case for it has been made and it’s now time to deliver.”

A Down Council spokeswoman said the organisation is continuing to progress its efforts to provide a new recycling centre in Downpatrick.

She said officials are presently carrying out appropriate due diligence investigations prior to progressing with the purchase of a suitable site.

“It is our anticipation that the cost of a new site will be totally borne by Down Council as at present there is no central government funding available,” explained the spokeswoman.

“This may well change before project completion. Meanwhile, Down Council will continue to explore funding opportunities.”