Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has granted planning permission to local property development company, Kerr Property – a Keltbray Group company, for a high quality multi-million pound urban regeneration scheme in the heart of Newry.

Pearce’s Gate at Merchant’s Quay will be a major city centre mixed use development comprising 62 two-bedroom and 11 one-bedroom apartments, three retail units and a coffee bar, 864 square metres of office space, landscaped areas, communal courtyard and car parking.

As part of Kerr Property’s commitment to sustainability, the scheme offers 11 car parking spaces with the aim of encouraging the reduction of the use of private cars and increasing the use of public transport. Pearce’s Gate will also offer Newry’s first Car Club giving residents of the apartments the opportunity to hire a car by the hour for those infrequent journeys, rather than the need to own their own vehicle.

Kerr Property is part of the Keltbray Group, a major construction and specialist engineering firm with its headquarters in London and with an annual turnover in the region of £400m.

Based in Bank Street in Belfast city centre, Kerr Property has been responsible for a number of multi-million pound social regeneration developments in Northern Ireland and most recently completed the refurbishment of Brookfield Mill on the Crumlin Road in Belfast – a major transformation project consisting of 22 duplex houses and 55 two-apartments for Clanmil Housing Association. The development has acted as a catalyst for significant new investment in retail and community facilities in the area.

Martin Conlon, Development Director of Kerr Property said: “We welcome the approval of planning permission for Pearce’s Gate at Merchants Quay in Newry and are confident that it will provide a significant economic and jobs boost to the city.

The scheme will firmly respect the heritage and historic location and regenerate a vacant and under-utilised area to create a high quality, sustainable urban development. It will also further strengthen Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s exciting plans for the continued regeneration of the city.”

“Sustainability is at the core of Kerr Property’s work and in line with this, the scheme also signifies a step change to achieving a reduction in carbon impact. The site provides minimal car parking but takes advantage of excellent public transport links and is conveniently located within walking distance to the bus station which connects to the train station, allowing residents to live there without the need to own a car. In turn, this will increase the footfall and dwell-time across the city.

I am confident that Pearce’s Gate will play a key role in encouraging people to live, work and socialise in Newry which will generate a huge economic impact for local businesses for years to come,” Martin concluded.