Oldcastle overhaul moves step closer with town centre resdesign

The town of Oldcastle will see a major transformation over the next few years as Meath Co Council prepares to redevelop the town centre and provide a new playground and park at the Fairgreen.

The council has started the Part Eight Planning Processes for both the redesign of the town centre and the new park, and a public consultation is currently underway.

A public realm plan for Oldcastle was published by Meath County Council two years ago and last year, €854,502 was announced to develop plans for the public realm upgrades as part of the Rural Regeneration Fund.

The proposals will see an upgrade to the town square, connecting roads and spaces, with an outdoor area, playground and bowling green at the Fairgreen.

As the public consultation on both projects continue, Cllr Sean Drew urged the public to make their views known.

"It is encouraging to see money available for these projects and it is important the local residents and businesses make their views known.

"The park element of the overall scheme is very welcome and will create a great recreation area for public use.

Cllr Mike Bray welcomed both projects which he said would see the regeneration of the town centre and make it a welcoming space for locals, shoppers and visitors.

The proposed development of the town centre will include the redesign of roadways and junctions, the creation of new open spaces, improved and wider footpaths, and new materials for paving. The design will provide for improved visibility for road users and pedestrians, safer crossing points for pedestrians, traffic calming and improved traffic flow. As part of the plan, time restricted parking within the town centre is to be introduced. There are proposals for improved links to all parts of the town including the playground and Railway Yard car park, improved street lighting as well as CCTV at the Railway Yard car park. The installation of street furniture, the provision of locations for Public Artwork / sculptures, undergrounding of overhead cables, and enhanced landscaping with additional trees and vegetation all form part of the plan. There will be new signage and line markings, new asphalt road surfacing on the regional roads and a new drop off and pick up area for Gilson National School with new steps and crossing point.

The plans are on public display to the 17th August and submission must be in by 31st August.

The development at the Fairgreen will include the provision of a 4,980sqm. play park, a multi-use games court, informal sports courts, skate / pump track, exercise equipment and play areas for children up to 12 years. There will be open green spaces, picnic seating, hard and soft landscaping, hard surface paths throughout and new public lighting and CCTV. The development will include the retention and repair of the existing 1.5m – 4m high natural stone walls. The work will include the provision of netting behind sports areas, surface water drainage, ducting and piping.

The plans are on display until Thursday the 10th of August and submissions must be in by 24th August.