Expect decision on Warrenpoint health and wellbeing hub in new year- Ruane            

CROTLIEVE councillor Mickey Ruane has shared   that a decision should be made on the  much anticipated Warrenpoint health and wellbeing hub by no later than February of this year.

The Sinn Fein representative, who has long campaigned for the construction of such a  facility  over his long tenure in   council, made the comment in the wake of the SDLP’s Colin McGrath’s stating he had written to the local government body  asking for “clear timelines” on the project.

Posting on social media the South Down MLA stated that he had “  written to the Council seeking clear timelines and answers on delays and the siting of the project.” and that  “Residents must be kept informed and properly listened to.” 

If planning permission is granted for the project then it would see the construction ofa two-storey community facility building and outdoor space situated in Clonallon Park with a variety of different  amenities  for the benefit of local residents within Warrenpoint.

   However in providing his own assessment with regards the process of the planning application Councillor Ruane explained that “the council have been very clear from the outset regarding where the application is” and that he fully expects a decision regarding the granting of planning permission to be made in the first quarter of 2026.        

Decision to be made

“The Warrenpoint Community centre is in the final stages of a decision with planning going into the new year and I am fully expecting the decision to be made in January or February” said Councillor Ruane.

“Council have been very clear from the outset regarding where the application is.  Nothing has been hidden from anyone. We were fully aware that the application was potentially coming to a decision around the end of 2025 start of 2026.

“Council are no different to anyone who has put an application into the planning department. We have to abide by the rules and regulations of planning. Planners have a position on the community centre, they are working through it. Going back over the last number of months they have asked for work to be done on different aspects of the application and the council team working on it have done that. They have given this back to the planners.  

“My last conversation on it was with the Chief Executive prior to Christmas. I would be in contact on a fortnightly basis with them in relation with it. I am completely content that everything has been followed as it should be. Planning is a long process in many cases and council   are working towards expecting a decision from the planning department in either January or February at the latest.”

Strong case

Whilst Councillor Ruane remains optimistic regarding the prospect of planning permission being granted , he did state that he and his colleagues are prepared for all eventualities.  

  However this does not change his opinion with regards the necessity of such a facility being made  available for those living in Warrenpoint and the benefits it would bring to the community.

“I believe that there is a very strong case for the community centre and whatever way it falls we will be prepared to deal with this. Both eventualities, rather it is an approval or refusal. I have been over this for many years. No one wants to see it as much as myself. 

“Myself and a number of my colleagues took it upon ourselves to be proactive and to show support for the community centre. We went out and contacted people around the town and asked them to write into the council expressing their support for the community centre.

“There was a great response from anyone we approached about it and I don't think it would be unquestionable to say that if we gave everyone in the town the time and opportunity they would have put a letter in.”