‘Town and Village Revitalisation Plans to provide a framework for future investment’ – Feeley

Fianna Fáil County Councillor, John Paul Feeley has welcomed the awarding of a tender by Cavan County Council for the preparation of Town and Village Revitalisation Plans for 20 towns and villages across County Cavan by early 2018.

“Town and Village Revitalisation Plans will allow communities, working in conjunction with Cavan County Council and Gaffney and Cullivan architects who together with Tyrénes have been awarded the tender to set out a vision for the development of towns and villages throughout our county over the coming years. This would provide a useful framework for communities, the local authority and other state agencies in targeting resources over the coming years.”

The tender recently awarded to Cavan-based architecture firm, Gaffney and Cullivan who have also engaged the expertise of UK company, Tyrénes seek to provide the basis of schemes which can be carried out as funds arise in each of the towns and villages included as well as providing a uniform approach and overarching vision for the revitalisation of towns and villages throughout the county and their hinterlands.

“The recent allocation of funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has highlighted the need to have projects set out and agreed between local communities and the County Council so that as and when funds arise money can be spent without delay and the projects chosen will have been considered and deemed necessary and appropriate by the local communities rather than having to search around for projects in order to drawdown funding.”

Over the coming weeks consultation meetings have been organised in six locations throughout the county which together with an online survey will allow community groups and individuals to make suggestions to the County Council and to the architects involved. It is intended that the public consultation will conclude in mid-December with a view to having the plans completed by May 2018.

“Unfortunately there will not be funds available immediately to implement each element of the plan prepared for the respective towns and villages but these will provide a considered menu of projects which can be undertaken as and when funds arise. We are all aware of the pressure that towns and villages in rural areas have faced and the decline in many of these communities. Hopefully this and other measures will provide a catalyst for improvements throughout our county.’

The individual plans will provide a foundation for a review of the County development plan in mid-2018. Cost of the project will be €160,000 which works out at approximately €8000 per plan per town.

The Towns and Villages included are Cavan, Virginia, Bailieborough, Ballyjamesduff, Cootehill, Kingscourt, Belturbet, Mullagh, Ballyconnell, Ballinagh, Ballyhaise, Shercock, Killeshandra, Arva, Kilnaleck, Swanlinbar, Butlersbridge, Blacklion, Lough Gowna and Dowra.