By Donal McMahon

Copyright belfastlive

A major £2.2million Co Down sports plan has been saved from the scrap heap as a council change of direction aims to “right a historical wrong”. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) has had plans for GAA and soccer pitch designs for Kilbroney Park since 2020, but they had come to a “shuddering halt”. A lack of sports development at Kilbroney Park for more than 50 years has also raised concerns over child safeguarding with parents “sick” of their children having to “change in ditches”. READ MORE: Newry court ‘caution’ for pensioner on stalking threat charges towards Co Down councillor. READ MORE: Co Down stink solution from Warrenpoint Harbour won’t have ‘people dancing in the streets’ says campaigners. At this week’s active and health communities committee, Independent councillor, Jarlath Tinnelly said: “I contacted each of my colleagues on this committee before this meeting and I just want to double down on that. “It is inconceivable to me that my hometown village of Rostrevor, that the council would even be contemplating pulling the plug on this project. “We are now into the fifth year of the planning process. There had been a lot of progress, but for some reason it came to a shuddering halt, the past 18 months. “But, the bigger picture for me is putting right a historic wrong / grievance to decades of broken promises that have been given to the people that I represent.” The south Down playing fields have been used by local clubs for almost 30 years by St Bronagh’s GAC and Rossowen FC. The councillor added: “Bear in mind if we do see this thing through it will be a council owned facility, not owned by any clubs and in that regard it is an investment. “The £20-£30k needed to progress this is loose change , this is a council that operates with tens and tens of millions of pounds per annum. “As far as I am concerned there is nothing in the planning concerns that cannot be mitigated against and I would ask members to realise the significance of this, the decision that is about to be made will have generational implications for the people of my village and the wider area.” A council report had provided three options to the committee including scrapping the major development plans and substitute in a £300k refurbishment of the land or proceed to the planning committee with no further reports. The now agreed ‘Option 2’ will provide up to £30k initially to respond to Northern Ireland Environment Agency concerns around nature habitats. Further spend may be necessary. A 2024 council report estimated a total £2.2m spend to deliver the project. However, the chamber was also informed that the new consultations would not address the planning policy objections around “detrimental effects on tourism”. SDLP councillor Declan McAteer said:”I would know the fraternity of both the Gaelic and soccer in Rostrevor, and it is a unique village of outstanding natural beauty. “It is a very special place and the statutory authorities treat it as such and this really is the issue that is delaying matters with the policies that are protecting the area. “It automatically follows that development there will be difficult. And for those reasons, we must persevere to deliver the facilities on a par with elsewhere and it is incumbent on council to do this. A diluted scheme would be seen as an absolute insult to Rostrevor and its inhabitants.” The Kilbroney plans were amended in April 2024, after a letter from the council’s planning department highlighted possible impacts on a popular tourist trail known as ‘The Fairy Glen’. At that point, the changing room location was removed from the application. A new location has yet to be publicly identified. Independent councillor Mark Gibbons said: “This is the only option, the people of Rostrevor have waited far too long, the clubs have waited far too long. I think the council has had ownership of these pitches for over 50 years. When you think of all the other developments in that time, Rostrevor has been sold short. “The soccer and GAA clubs are both sick of having their children change in ditches at the side of the pitches. The lack of facilities for anyone with disabilities the lack of inclusion. We need to get this over the line as soon as possible.” For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.