People Before Profit demand ‘call-in’ on Newry Civic Hub

Proposals for the hub were passed on Thursday afternoon, with only six of the committee’s members in attendance. Four of those voted in favour of the proposals.

Downpatrick Alliance councillor, Cadogan Enright walked out of the meeting following legal advice provided in confidential session and told his fellow councillors: “I urge you all to do the same”.

The Newry Reporter understands that some councillors are making efforts to have the process called in and that they have five working days to do so.

People Before Profit representative for Newry & Armagh Marc Mac Seáin commented: "The flagrantly undemocratic political reality has been perfectly encapsulated in yet another development of this scandalous Civic Centre affair.

"A quarter of the committee's councillors have rammed through this plan in spite of all the controversy.

"The arrogance of Sinn Féin and SDLP is clear for all to see, who are sure they can push ahead with what some resign to be ‘a done deal’.

"The cherry on the top is the statement from Council Chairman which boasts of how the plans mark a step forward in the revitalisation of Newry, with business being one aspect singled out. The council has previously also spoken of how the plans would lead to a 'significant' boost the local retail sector, yet the council's report by Deloitte in 2018 (back when the cost was £7m) stated it would have no measurable economic impact in respect of retail business.

"Rather than revitalising Newry, this news is another millstone around the neck of working people in the area, with at least £10m from this development & likely more due to be pilfered from rates.

"Along with the embarrassing wastages of £1.5m on consulting & planning for the diverted Mourne Gateway Project, never-mind the even steeper £56m bill of that project now bizarrely being insisted on refocus to Kilbroney.

"News from the Gondola plan being relocated so drastically would suggest someone has been promised a lot of money to build a cable car!

"All this whilst workers face historic a cost of living crisis on multiple fronts, stagnant wages and crumbling services. We demand investments in social housing, healthcare, education, our environment and more. We'll never shrink away from the demands & movement that society should be organised in the interest of workers, not billionaires or corporations or lobbyists.

"We think we can confidently speak on behalf of the local community with this issue to demand a call-in, or any sort of blockage through council of the Civic Centre plans. The ball is in the court of councillors who are quite likely to embroil the council is extensive judicial review litigation if they proceed."