An Bord Pleanála has told local TD Fergus O’Dowd that a decision is due on the much-anticipated Westgate Vision Plan by June the 13th.
When it was first launched in 2018 the idea behind the Westgate Vision plan was to develop the Westgate area of the town which includes Narrow West Street, the Old Abbey and Donaghy’s Mill into a vibrant new cultural quarter for Drogheda.
The 2018 brochure notes that Westgate is the identifiable principal entry point to the historic town of Drogheda and the premier gateway for visitors to the Boyne Valley.
However, the plan has experienced significant administrative delays since the council received government funding of €476,000 in 2018 to progress the plan under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund.
Deputy O’Dowd said that if permission is granted this transformational plan will completely revitalise the Westgate area of town which remains littered with appalling long-term dereliction suffered over many years.
“This plan will support existing business in the Westgate area by providing large scale funding to develop public spaces and address the streetscape issues, it will also tie in with existing plans for the Dominican Church and St Dominic’s Park” he said.
“Despite the inordinate delays the key decision date is now known and, fingers crossed if successful, this plan will be the catalyst to rejuvenate Drogheda by bringing more footfall and business to our historic town.”
The planning application seeks approval for significant regeneration of the Westgate area of Drogheda. Preparation of the Westgate planning stage has been financially supported by the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) as part of Project Ireland 2040 and match funded by Louth County Council.
The proposed improvements to the public realm in Westgate will encompass several streets including Georges Street to Dominick Street and from Fair Street to Father Connolly Way. Included among the proposed works are:
- A new gateway plaza at George’s Square
- Flexible community and cultural space
- Public art installation marking the location of the medieval West Gate
- Revitalising the river front
- Repair and restoration of the Old Abbey and the Medieval Wall
Louth County Council’s Place Making Team has been supported by lead planning and communications consultant, Turley. The planning application has been shaped by the feedback from the local community.
The Westgate planning documents, including the suite of drawings, the EIAR and the AA Stage 2 reports, represent a large volume of material and statutory planning information presented to An Bord Pleanala.
Full details of the proposed works are available here: https://consult.louthcoco.ie/en/consultation/westgate-2040
