THE group behind plans to transform the generator house at Newcastle Harbour are determined that it will be a launchpad for further improvements there.
Planning approval for Newcastle Harbour Heritage Association’s (NHHA) proposal to make the building a community facility for harbour users was granted last month, and it is their aim that this will now be built upon.
Speaking to the Mourne Observer, the group’s chairman Campbell Miller said that it was established three years ago to “highlight the issues within the harbour area of Newcastle, and to try to see if we can make things better for all of its users”. “NHHA was started in 2020 by a group of 10 people from all backgrounds, who all have an interest in the harbour area,” he explained. “We have swimmers, boat owners, members from the yacht club and from the RNLI, so it’s people from a range of backgrounds. “One of the main things was to get use of the old generator building, and to transform that into a community facility that had toilets, a shower room, a community hub and a utility room in which people could maybe make themselves a cup of tea or coffee. “Thankfully, after three years of working towards it, we have managed to get planning permission for this building.”
The chairman added that the group was delighted with the approval, which he described as “probably the biggest positive change for the harbour in generations”. “It gives us the base and the hub for any harbour user,” he continued. “It’s good for the boat owners, but also for the swimmers. “Every day, there could be 150 to 200 sea swimmers up by the harbour. “Having a building like this that has a shower room and has changing facilities, it gives those people – some of whom are elderly and are there every day – a bit of dignity to actually be able to get changed in proper facilities. “Unfortunately, there is just nothing there for people and they are having to get changed outside.” Mr Miller stated that the group will not be resting on their laurels and will be pursuing “other regeneration of the area”. “That is the linking of the two quays up at the harbour, so that anyone who is on the north quay will have access to walk to not just our building but also the car park there,” he added. “That is what we are wanting to work towards next. “And also to have disability access. “The one thing that our harbour doesn’t have is disability access. “In this day and age, there is no proper disability access for people to get into the water to go swimming or for any boat owner. “That is what we are pushing for next. “It is great that we have got so far with this journey, but there is still so much more that needs to happen.”
Concluding, the chairman said that that there has been “three years of hard work from everyone on the committee”, and he paid a special tribute to vice-chairman Seamus McConkey, whom he highlighted had “put a lot of time and effort into making this happen”. “Seamus really has pioneered this,” he added. “He also worked with Cyril Morgan, who has spent a long time getting the plans put through and working with us and the planners for this to actually happen. “The association has also been very lucky to get commitment of funding not just from the council but also from Mackens Bar and Restaurant and the Harbour House Inn. “They are the ones that have made this possible.”