Newry Civic Hub: Councillors make bid for ‘call-in’ of planning decision
Seven councillors have put their name to a request to have the decision to grant the proposed Newry Civic Hub planning permission reviewed.
And amongst those is Downpatrick Alliance councillor, Cadogan Enright, who walked out of last week’s planning meeting following legal advice provided in confidential session. He told his fellow councillors: “I urge you all to do the same”.
The move will see Newry, Mourne and Down District Council chief executive, Marie Ward, consider a call-in of the application before it is ratified by the full council on Monday, July 7 – and she Mrs Ward may also have to get independent legal advice on the matter.
It is claimed that the “determination of the application was tainted by apparent bias” and the decision to approve “does not comply with the council’s best value duty”.
Four of the planning committee’s 12 members – three Sinn Féin and one SDLP – approved the hub plans last Thursday.
In recent weeks objectors had raised concerns over the validity of the application, including over fees, a community consultation being submitted late, and key information being allegedly withheld from the planning file.
Prior to last Thursday’s meeting councillors had not been given sight of legal advice despite a request by Cllr Jarlath Tinnelly during a meeting on the matter in April to have the advice circulated to committee members.
The project has also been met by over 2,500 objections with a petition being led by Newry Cathedral Parish, while concerns were raised last year by local government auditor Colette Kane over the viability of the project.
A council spokesperson said: “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is aware of the ‘call in’ in relation to this decision and will consider it in line with due process.”