Councillors sign off on £3m Downpatrick scheme - but outline business case kept secret

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s (NMDDC) economy, regeneration and tourism committee signed off on the major development this week.

However, details of the outline business case were kept “restricted” and discussed behind closed doors.

A council officer said: “Following a business case approval by the Department for Communities (DfC), the department has now issued a conditional letter of offer of £2,569,042.

“The council contribution is £400k in total for the two year scheme.

“The council will now appoint design consultants and a contractor to deliver the capital scheme.”

The transformation of the streets are part of an aim to re-develop the town in the wake of devastating floods that struck local businesses in 2023.

A council report states Church Street and De Courcy Place will undergo an extensive remodelling of new pavements, kerbs and footways with new decorative street lighting, furniture and trees.

The upgrade of both areas was identified in the Downpatrick Living High Streets Framework, which a co-operation between the town’s Regeneration Working Group, Department for Communities and NMDDC.

Downpatrick Sinn Fein rep, Oongah Hanlon added: “Obviously this is to be welcomed for the Downpatrick area and is the result of a lot of years of hard work within the Regeneration Group, elected members and the Living High Streets.

“It’s a really good example of collaborative work through departments and council and it is a significant amount of money that is very welcome for Downpatrick.”