News

Council launches Newtownstewart Town Centre Framework

22 January 2025

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s regeneration vision for Newtownstewart has this week been formally launched at the town’s 2000 Centre by Deputy Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Darren Guy.

The Newtownstewart Town Centre Regeneration Framework document identifies a number of indicative actions for the next 5 to 10 years with the aim of enhancing the economic, social and environmental well-being of the town.

The launch of the final draft of the document follows a detailed research and analysis period by Council that included engagement with local stakeholders and government agencies to identify challenges and opportunities for the health and vitality of the town centre.

The document was approved by Elected Members of Council’s Environment and Regeneration in late summer 2024.

Deputy Mayor Guy welcomed the formal publication of the document and encouraged the public to read it and play their part in the regeneration of the town.

“I am delighted for the people of Newtownstewart that the blueprint for the town’s growth and regeneration in the short, medium and long term has been completed,” he said.

“Thank you to everyone who gave their feedback and who attended the public consultation events that have allowed Council Officers to develop a plan that has been tailored to meet local needs specific to the town centre.
“There is significant work ahead to make this exciting vision for the town centre a reality, but crucially we now have a framework that will allow all the stakeholders to work together to allow Newtownstewart to fulfil its potential in the years ahead. 

“The Framework will be an important document that assist all of the partners in identifying and securing external funding opportunities in order to deliver the actions identified.”

The Framework document covers a wide range of themes including traffic management, parking, pedestrian/cycle infrastructure and connectivity, streetscape/public realm, built heritage, green infrastructure, business development and tourism.

Regeneration Project Officer at Council, Maura Fitzpatrick, explained more about the format of the document.

“The early chapters focus on the historic background and characteristics of Newtownstewart, how it has grown and developed over the years and the issues and challenges the town faces,” she explained.
“This leads to a SWOT analysis, informed by local stakeholder engagement, which has helped identify the opportunities and potential for improvement of the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of the town .
“It is through this exercise that the framework defines the strategic regeneration vision for Newtownstewart, together with a series of indicative actions over the short, medium and long term that will help deliver change and improve the issues currently affecting the town centre.”

To Newtownstewart Town Centre Framework is available online at www.derrystrabane.com/newtownstewart for further information or questions about the framework call 028 71 253 253 or e mail [email protected]