Clarke welcomes planning agenda decision

South Down Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has expressed his approval after a controversial housing scheme planning application was removed from a DOE Planning Service agenda at Down District Council.

Plans for a social housing development off Donard Street in Newcastle were to be approved by the Planning Service in spite of widespread objections from residents, local businesses and Councillors.

Speaking to Newry Times, Clarke stated: “I fully recognise the need for social housing in Newcastle but I don’t believe the decision by Planning Service to allow a social housing development scheme at Donard Street Newcastle is the right location. It is on a busy thoroughfare close to bars, taxi depots, restaurants and fast food outlets.

“There are a multitude of other uses for this site, including a retail park, or extra car parking which Newcastle badly needs. I am disappointed that elected representatives and local residents have had to go to such extremes in order to secure proper consultation on this controversial planning application at Donard Street in Newcastle.”

“Despite widespread opposition to this application, the Planning Service had placed it on the Council agenda as an approval.”

He added, “I welcome that it has been removed from the Council’s planning schedule. Hopefully we will now be given the right to question those who think this development will be good for Newcastle. We need full and proper consultation.”

“I will be calling for a meeting with other Newcastle Councillors to see if this planning application can be overturned.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Nov 29 2012. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry