Newry Conservation Area covers all of the primary retail core and additional lands to the west (Abbey Way) and north (Trevor Hill, Sugarhouse Quay and New Street). 4.5 The city centre boundary (see Appendix 3, Part 1) extends north to the largely office area of the Downshire Road and the commercial/industrial area north of Upper Edward Street and Cecil Street, west to the campus of the Southern Regional College and neighbouring business, and south to the Quays shopping complex and major brownfield development opportunity sites at the Albert Basin and Warrenpoint Road. 4.6 The primary retail core centres around Hill Street, John Mitchel Place, Merchant’s Quay and the upper part of Monaghan Street, together with Buttercrane and The Quays shopping centres. 4.7 A primary retail frontage is designated along both sides of Hill Street. This is to retain the focus of retail use and ensure the maintenance of a compact shopping environment. 4.8 The plan also contains a policy on town centre housing. It is acknowledged that specific housing areas provide valuable housing stock and are homes for established communities which contribute to the variety and vitality of life in the city centre. Accordingly there is a policy restricting change of use to non residential uses. In addition proposals for new housing on derelict or backland sites and re-use of upper floors for residential use can help support variety and vitality within the city centre. 4.9 Ten Development Opportunity Sites have been identified within the City Centre. Table 1 provides the current status of the development opportunity sites identified in the BNMAP. Table 1: Newry Development Opportunity Sites Plan Ref Location Area Plan Proposal Current Status Planning History NY81 Lower Catherine St Office and residential use Tbc at Survey Stage Car Parking – Approved 20/05/2013 NY82 Merchants Quay North Office, commercial, leisure and cultural together with residential Not developed Nothing Applicable NY83 Merchants Quay Middle Office, commercial, leisure and cultural together with residential. Not developed Nothing Applicable NY84 Bank Parade Residential, office, leisure and cultural. Not developed Mixed Use development (49 residential units, cafe and offices) Approval lapsed. NY85 Merchants Quay South Retail, office, commercial, leisure and cultural Not developed Nothing Applicable NY86 North Street Office, leisure and residential use Not developed Nothing Applicable NY87 John Mitchel Pl/St Mary’s St Retail, office, and commercial together with a residential Not developed Nothing Applicable NY88 Courtney Hill Employment, educational, Not Development of Community
Irish Street retailing, craft workshops, coffee shops DK 25 Frontage to the Car Park at Scotch Street New frontage, no specific use Not developed Nothing Applicable DK 25 Junction of Market Street and Irish Street Shops and offices Not developed Nothing Applicable DK 25 Police Station, Irish Street Residential or offices PSNI Station still in use Nothing Applicable Ballynahinch 4.27 The town centre (see Appendix 3, Part 3)includes Main Street, High Street, Dromore Street, Harmony Road and part of Lisburn Street, Church Street and Windmill Street. 4.28 The primary retail core is focused on Main Street and High Street including the square and a portion of Windmill Street and Dromore Street. The commercial uses in the town are concentrated in the core area and comprise a mix of shops, chemists, cafes, service uses, bars and small business/office uses. 4.29 Town centre housing on parts of Church Street provide a valuable housing stock which contributes to the variety and vitality of the town centre. These are designated in the plan and subsequently afford protection against development proposals. 4.30 Within Ballynahinch town centre five Development Opportunity Sites are identified. The details of the sites and their current status is provided in Table 7. Table 7: Ballynahinch Development Opportunity Sites Plan Ref Location Area Plan Proposal Current Status Planning History BH 27 Gardens to the rear of High St, adjacent to Ballynahinch River Commercial, civic, residential use TBC at survey stage R/2012/0371/F Demolition of existing buildings and development of 2 new retail units with associated servicing and car parking. Approved 24/04/13 BH 27 Gardens to the rear of properties fronting the Square and Windmill St Mixed commercial use Not developed Nothing Applicable BH 27 Court yards adjacent to High St Retail, restaurant, tourism use Not developed R/2013/0532/F Street frontage shop with 4 apartments above and access to courtyard and a further 12 apartments and car parking and a 3 storey town house to rear. Pending BH 27 Gap Site adjacent to Dromore Street Mixed retail Not developed R/2007/1081/F 2 Replacement retail units