New funding could redefine the town centre of Ratoath

Ratoath's inclusion in the latest Urban Regeneration and Development Scheme, could pave the way for an ambitious town centre development which would include a civic space, library, car park and age friendly housing.

Ratoath is now eligible to benefit from a round of Government funding aimed at tackling vacancy and dereliction in town centres, after it was named last week as one of 11 additional towns now qualified to benefit from the €150 million fund to tackle long term vacancy and dereliction.

Under this round of URDF funding, local authorities are provided with finance to activate long term vacant and derelict properties in town centres for reuse or sale. This helps to address long-term vacancy, brings vibrancy into town centres and accelerates the delivery of housing. Ratoath joins Trim, Navan, Ashbourne and Laytown-Bettystown-Mornington on the list of towns in Meath eligible to avail of this source of funding. To date, towns in Meath have been allocated almost €26 million in three rounds of URDF funding.

Cllr Gillian Toole points out that designs are currently being drawn up for future Part 8 planning application for council owned land in the centre of Ratoath, across from SuperValu.

“I am awaiting confirmation that designs will be submitted for future urban renewal grants, now that Ratoath is eligible for that funding,” she said.

She pointed out that there had been a public consultation process on the future of the lands in question and a recent presentation to councillors included proposals for eight age-friendly housing units with a central courtyard, a three storey library/community hub building, a car park catering for 96 vehicles and 20 to 30 bicycles, as well an open civic space/amenity with public seating, external meeting area and hard landscaping.

Cllr Toole explained that there are proposals in the current variation of the county development process, to rezone the land in question to facilitate these developments.

Cllr Nick Killian welcomed the Minister's announcement describing it as an opportunity to redefine the town centre of Ratoath and the lands recently purchased by the council in the centre of the town.

“This will allow us to design a new small park, library and possibly housing in that area.

“This is an extremely important first step and it will be the first council-owned facility in Ratoath.

Last week's announcement was made as part of the Government’s latest Housing for All Quarterly Progress Report and publication of the Vacant Homes Action Plan Progress Report by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government.

Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien TD said: “Regenerating and rejuvenating our town centres means that our urban areas become more attractive and vibrant places for people to live and work.

“Already, through the availability of a dedicated €150 million revolving fund under the URDF, local authorities have identified over 900 properties in URDF towns throughout the country that can be brought back into practical use. I am delighted today to announce that Ratoath is now eligible under the scheme and have a great opportunity to help reinvigorate their town centres while at the same time increasing the delivery of housing.”

Towns with populations of greater than 10,000 or who support more than 2,500 jobs qualify to apply for funding under this round of the URDF. Following a recent review based on the 2022 census additional towns, including Ratoath are now deemed to meet the criteria making them eligible to apply for properties in these towns to be added to their approved acquisition programme under Call 3 of the URDF.

They are also eligible to apply for URDF funding under any future calls for proposals to deliver projects that meet the aims and objectives of the fund.

The URDF is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040 and was established to support more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s cities and large towns. This initiative is also in support of objectives under the Town Centre First policy.