Individual Post

 

Following extensive work with residents from St Clare’s Avenue and greater High Street area, Kimmins made several representations to planners, developers and Council authorities, expressing widely held concerns that the proposal would decimate the historical St Clare’s Avenue site. 

 

After Wednesday’s decision Kimmins said:

 

“It will be a great relief to residents that the rich history and heritage of the area will be protected from such a disruptive and dominant bridge project.

 

“Residents first contacted us in January 2017, and made clear their concerns that the quiet residential community of St Clare’s Avenue, which houses many elderly citizens, would be massively impacted by this development.

 

“In addition, the likely increase in traffic and congestion as a result of this project would have posed a threat to children in the area who have limited space to play as it is.

 

Valerie Harte, Sinn Féin Councillor for the area, commended residents for their tireless efforts in lobbying to protect the site, and for recording and promoting the local history for the benefit of people in Newry and beyond.

 

“Much work has been done by those living in the area to revive and promote the cherished history of this listed site. As a community, we should be grateful for their hard work”, she said.

 

“We should be protecting our heritage, not destroying it.”

 

As the committee have decided to refuse this application on historical grounds, planning officials will now take time to compile a report with these reasons for approval which will come back to the planning committee for agreement at a later date.