A major new strategy to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into Irish town centres was unveiled today by three Government Ministers which, if it does what it says on the can, could well be a game changer for Drogheda.
Among the actions contained in the Town Centre First policy are the establishment of a network of Town Regeneration Officers to drive future development and supports to help businesses and local communities deliver on their unique vision for their area
There will also be support for towns in producing their own Town Centre First Plans, produced by a local Town Team drawn from local community and business representatives. These will identify challenges, actions and integrated responses across a number of themes such as business/commercial; community/cultural; housing; built environment; heritage etc.
Implementation of plans will be supported by a targeted investment programme across Government, including through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and dedicated funding streams to tackle vacancy and dereliction in particular.
It is also proposed to develop a network of Town Regeneration Officers to bring a coordinated approach to Town Centre First delivery across the country and support local Town Teams.
The policy was launched today by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, the Minister for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke TD; and the Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD.
The launch took place at Moate library which is housed in a former Courthouse building dating back to 1828 which had been derelict before it was restored by Westmeath County Council for use as a library.
The Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, said:
“The Government’s Town Centres First policy seeks to support, enable and inspire communities to be active participants in the heritage-led regeneration of their towns and villages.
“This in turn will re-invigorate independent retail and promote town centre living, supporting local economic resilience through the co-creation of liveable, vibrant, nature-friendly urban spaces.”
Green Party Rep for Drogheda Rural, Anthony Murphy said: “The Town Centre First policy and framework which is a key Green party win in the PFG, gives the people of Drogheda a way to kick start the regeneration of our town.
“This is very much a bottom-up approach whereby local groups will be empowered to make the changes we all know are needed. I grew up in the town and to see it in its current state is a real indictment on the local politicians, who have not been able to represent the town’s interests effectively.
“We need new energy and vision for the town, this announcement today puts the local community groups in control of our town’s future.”
