In what will hopefully be the start of a fightback against the serious dereliction in downtown Drogheda, Louth County Council has applied for Heritage Council funding to develop a regeneration plan for the junction of Fair Street and George’s Square.
The move comes after Labour Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Council, Councillor Pio Smith, raised the issue at a recent Drogheda Borough Municipal District meeting.
“A significant portion of Drogheda’s future prosperity lies in how well it’s tourism and heritage potential is developed” Councillor Smith told Drogheda Life.
“I have worked closely with the Heritage Officer in Louth County Council and Director of Services Paddy Donnelly to highlight the need for investment in Drogheda’s Heritage.
“The objective is to hire specialist consultants to develop a plan for the west end of Fair Street and the part of George’s Square north of the West Gate Vision area.
“Plans for the West Gate Vision are progressing well with a further public consultation planned for April. This project links in well with the West Gate Vision as the area in question suffers from dereliction and decay but it is a major gateway into Drogheda.
“Louth County Council are also to begin major works on the council offices in Fair Street this year so having a heritage led regeneration plan make sense in order to eventually transform this whole area of our town.”
Councillor Smith also revealed that all land and building owners in the area will be contacted in due course, a grade one conservation architect is to be appointed and it is expected that the Council will be in a position to apply for major funding under the capital works budget in 2023.
“This area is an important part of our history and heritage” Smith said, adding: “this application is the first step in preserving and enhancing that history for future generations.”
