By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council has recently adopted the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan, which is described as “a roadmap for the sustainable regeneration of Enniscorthy’s town centre” and it should make considerable progress this coming week when it will be made available for public scrutiny.
A Public Presentation Event for the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan takes place in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on Tuesday, August 1st at 7pm. All are welcome.
This plan outlines a comprehensive strategy for long-term social, economic, and environmental revitalisation of the town. It also highlights priority regeneration projects that can serve as catalysts for Enniscorthy’s sustainable regeneration.
All are cordially invited to attend a public presentation by Dr Conor Norton from Loci, the authors of the plan.
During the presentation, there is the opportunity to learn about the plan’s preparation process and the transformative regeneration projects that Wexford County Council aims to advance for the town.
The Enniscorthy Plan has had a chequered beginning. At the December meeting of the Municipal District Council, it was agreed to discuss the Plan ‘in committee’ because the elected representatives felt they should peruse the content and have first preference in any decision making.
At the February meeting, ructions broke out following a presentation by Mick McCormick, Town Regeneration Officer, with special responsibility for New Ross and Enniscorthy, who outlined the Town Centre First- A Policy Approach for Irish Towns.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Browne said the plan was “ambitious and a chance to make Enniscorthy special and great” but the mood changed when it emerged that only one elected member could serve on the committee and five would be disappointed!
The councillors protested but Mr. McCormick said these are the rules and must be followed to have any chance of securing URDF (Urban Regeneration and Development Fund) funds. “These are the rules of the game”, he said and added that doing otherwise could put the application for funding in jeopardy,
Cllr Jackser Owens felt ‘insulted’. He said they had worked for three and a half years as the Enniscorthy Team and now five members are gone! We want six members for the Enniscorthy Team and fight as a team to get €5 or 6 million. “This is not acceptable. It is an insult to the elected members of Enniscorthy district,” he concluded.
At this point an Cathaoirleach told members that a decision had to be made (today)) immediately. The Council will have one member on the Town Team (the Cathaoirleach of the day) and it was agreed that the working group continue in an advisory capacity.
Launched last February the Town Centre First policy aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.
The key roles of the Town Team are to comprise of local experts and made of diverse groups such as residents, business owners, community representatives etc. and may also have one local authority member, Public Partnership Network (PPN) member, representatives of tourism, culture groups etc. The public presentation should be interesting.
WexfordLocal.com 