More good news for Dunleer – last year a scheme of 80 new social homes was launched in the town and yesterday it was announced that Louth County Council has been awarded €100k to revitalise the town centre under a new Town Centre First Plan.
Under the new scheme each Local Authority in the country has received €100k to deliver a focused town centre first master plan for a town within their respective areas, which is part of the Government’s five year strategy called Our Rural Future which is designed to reimagine and revitalise Rural Ireland.
Louth County Council was successful in its bid to secure funding for Dunleer, one of 26 towns nationwide to be granted funding. Each local authority will now work closely with local community groups, retailers and the other members of the Town Teams in devising and delivering on the objectives of their respective masterplans.
This initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future – the Government’s five-year strategy designed to reimagine and revitalise Rural Ireland. It is also linked to the Government’s ‘Housing for All’ strategy and the forthcoming ‘Town Centre First Policy’, which will be announced in the coming weeks.
It is envisaged that the Plans will cover the importance of “place-making”, town centre living, the social and economic purpose of the town, and respond to emerging opportunities such as those linked to remote working, climate action and digitalisation.
Welcoming the announcement Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Joan Martin said: “I am delighted with the announcement of funding for the development of a master plan for Dunleer.
“The community in Dunleer has a long history of engagement and working in partnership with the Council to maintain and improve the town centre and this funding will allow us to develop a plan for the future of the town with all stakeholders contributing. Ensuring that town centres are sustained into the future and are attractive places to live in, visit and do business in is a key priority for the Council”.
Deputy Fergus O’Dowd said that he too was delighted to receive confirmation from Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys. “This money will provide a platform to revitalise Dunleer and tackle dereliction within the town” he said.
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys with local TD, Fergus O’Dowd.
“The job now begins to prepare these masterplans and that will require considerable consultation with the local community, groups and organisations located in and around Dunleer.
“The council’s “Town Team” must ensure that this is a plan that represents the views and wishes of the people of Dunleer.
“It is expected that funding will be provided for the development of plans in additional towns as the Town Centre First Policy is launched and fully operational.
This initial funding has been delivered to towns with populations of 10,000 or below.
Minister Heather Humphreys said: “Each local authority has put forward one of their towns which will receive €100,000 from my Department to develop its own unique master plan. The development of these 26 Plans will feed into the Government’s overall Town Centre First Policy, which will be launched in the coming weeks.”
“Finally, I should stress that this is the first phase of funding for these Plans under the Town Centre First Policy and other towns will be afforded opportunities to develop such plans as we move forward.”
