Newry and Mourne District Council and Warrenpoint Harbour Authority have announced that the application has been submitted by the two authorities in partnership with the Loughs Agency.

Louth County Council, and Dumfries and Galloway Council to the Interreg IVA Programme for the proposed Warrenpoint Marina Project, has been selected by the Interreg IVA Steering Committee to progress to the next stage of assessment for funding.

The joint application, which was submitted by the Council and the Harbour Authority to the Interreg 1VA Cross Border Programme is for the provision of a 200 berth Marina and related facilities at Warrenpoint, as well as refurbishment and development works at Stranraer Marina in Scotland, at a total estimated cost of £10.4 million.

Councillor Casey, Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council, stated: "This is a project which the Council and Warrenpoint Harbour Authority have been working on together for several years. If successful the project will represent one of the most significant marine tourism and leisure facilities to be provided in this region and will present a much needed boost for the local economy. The Warrenpoint Marina Project is also a very fine example of partnership working on a cross-border basis not only between the Council and the Harbour Authority, but in this instance with Louth County Council and Dunfries and Galloway Council in Scotland. It is also reflective of the strong working relationships between the Council and Louth Local Authorities which was recently enhanced by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two Councils. The provision of tourism and recreation and sustainable economic growth and job creation are two core objectives themes to the relationship and the proposed Marina at Warrenpoint is a very fine example of the outworkings of our positive relationships in this region."

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Peter Fitzsimmons, Chairman of WHA, thanked Thomas McCall of Newry and Mourne District Council and his colleagues for their promotion of and support for this proposal. He praised the cross-border co-operation of Louth County Council and expressed the hope that the project will be brought to fruition to the mutual benefit of both Council areas.

"WHA Chief Executive, Peter Conway and his team at the Port, have been working on this initiative for several years and I am delighted that it has reached this stage", he said, " I know there is still a lot to be done and we will be doing all we can to work with all of our partners to bring this project to fruition."

(CD)