Two Meath projects to benefit from Town Centre First funding
Two Meath projects have been included in the latest round of Town Centre First funding announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys last week.
Funding was awarded to progress projects that are in the pipeline for Drumconrath and Enfield as part of the €2.6m announced for projects nationwide to bring them through planning and on to the 'shovel-ready' stage.
Funding of €49,500 has been approved for Drumconrath to begin pre-planning on the re-development of the Doyle's Garage derelict site in the village as a public park and amenity space. The funding will go towards the public consultation and planning to bring the projec to a shovel ready stage.
The aim is to provide a new focal point in the village while also dealing with an eyesore by removing two derelict sites.
Meath County Council has already begun the process of acquiring the derelict Doyle's Garage site and adjacant house in Drumconrath under the Derelict Sites Act and this is currently with An Bord Pleanala, as an objection was made.
Cllr Eugene Cassidy said: "I welcome this announcement of €49,500 to bring it through design and planning stages. People will have an input into the design of what goes into this proposed recreational area. I would like to see not only a recreation area, but also a play area incorporated into the plans.
"The council did start the CPO process but this was appealed to Bord Pleanala so until an Bord Pleanala make a positive decision or that objection is withdrawn, we cannot go ahead with a planning application for the proposed recreation area."
Separately €49,500 has been been granted towards a new amenity project for Enfield to advance the project, which is currently at the early stages. It is understood that Meath County Council is in discussions in relation to purchasing a town centre site owned by the Diocese of Meath. The funding is to carry out preliminary and final designs on a community facility and will also complete public consultation activities and any planning processes documentation.
Funding will be used to appoint a consultant to carry out preliminary designs, public engagement, final/preferred layout design and planning documents required to progress the project to a shovel-ready stage.
Local councilllor Ronan Moore, who sits on the Enfield Town Team, welcomed the funding. He said: "This funding will allow a design team to continue to liaise with a landowner to purchase an area in the centre of town. And it will also allow the council to design in consultation with the general public and TCF team as to what exact sort of community amenity will work there.
"Once agreed, this will then go through design and planning so that a 'shovel-ready' project will be prepared, with the hope that a grant such as the annual Town and Village Renewal funding, which was used for the village hall, can be used again to make this much needed community amenity, a reality.
"Personally, I hope that this amenity will be something that will also cater for young adults, however I recognise that it will be through consultation that we will come up with a plan that will be owned by all the community. While Enfield is still playing catch-up on community amenities, hopefully this will be the beginning of another much-needed amenity in town."
Making the announcement last Friday, Minister Heather Humphreys said: "I am delighted to announce funding of €2.6 million today which will support local authorities and town teams to develop a strong pipeline of shovel-ready projects in our local towns. I am announcing funding for a wide range of projects today from the development of green spaces and parks in our town centres to projects which look at how vacant and derelict buildings in our towns can be brought back into use. I look forward to seeing these exciting projects and initiatives progress and make positive impacts for our rural towns and villages”.