By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal District Council Meeting
The ambitious Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, was first discussed ‘in committee’ and later members demanded that it be favoured by the members before being made public, however, it was adopted at last Monday’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council held in the Presentation Centre Chamber.
Printed draft copies were available to members and officials but were not made available to the press in attendance despite requests. Consequently, this reporter cannot summarise some of the main points of the plan.
In the Planning Monthly Report to Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal Report presented at Tuesday’s meeting there is a reference to the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan. It claims that the Enniscorthy Plan “is a comprehensive and ambitious plan for the regeneration of Enniscorthy town centre.”
“It sets out a series of regeneration strategies and identifies a number of redevelopment packages which will serve as the catalyst for regeneration of the town centre and Templeshannon area,” says the report, and adds, “The plan will be finalised following feedback from the members this year (which presumably is a reference to the decision taken at Enniscorthy’s December meeting.”
There was zero detail released at Monday’s meeting. The adoption of the plan was proposed by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and seconded by Cllr John O’Rourke, the same members that ensured a special meeting some days earlier be held in ‘in committee’ and the invited Press be excluded!
At Monday’s meeting there was a positive acceptance of the plan, however, there was a cowering call for the support of Enniscorthy’s three members of Dáil Éireann. They were not named but Minister Browne and Deputies Paul Kehoe and Johnny Mythen will add their support!
Cllr Cathal Byrne called on the three TD’s in the town to support the plan, especially Market Square and the old Murphy-Flood’s site (which Cllr Jacker referred to “as the greatest eyesore in any town in Ireland”) and Templeshannon with a view to accessing government funding.
Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan referred to “a downturn in the economy” and she accepted that the plan was “very ambitious.”
Cllr Jackser Owens was disgusted that “nothing is being down in the Templeshannon area of the town despite so many promises and plans over the years” and he described the old Murphy-Flood’s site as “an eyesore”, however, he stated that “the plan is good for the town and good for the people,” and he fully supported it.
Cllr John O’Rourke said it was a positive news story and “putting the best foot forward for the people of Enniscorthy,” and he added; “All we need to do is draw down on the funding.”
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Aidan Browne, also added that “it is a very positive news story.” He thanked everyone involved in drawing up the plan and felt it could be “a game changer for Enniscorthy.”
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