By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Municipal Council meeting
Referring to the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan, which is now with An Bord Pleanála and the Part 8 planning process, Cllr Jackser Owens raised some concerns at today’s (Monday) meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council at the Council Chamber in the Presentation Centre. Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Rourke presided.
Cllr Owens told the meeting that “taking out 23 parking places in Market Square is a bad decision, however Cllr Aidan Browne felt “it is a great plan, and we should be positive about it.”
Cllr Owens also raised concerns about the ‘pedestrianisation’ of Rafter Street from 10 am to 5.30pm daily. Cllr Owens noticed a lot of traffic using the street during the day and, not for the first time, he was critical of refuse vehicles removing ‘stinking rubbish’ while people were using outdoor facilities for their morning coffee and a chat. “It is disgraceful,” said Cllr Owens, who wondered; “When is the Council going to look at the situation and have it stopped.”
Cllr Kathleen Codd-Nolan referred to “the rough surface” on Rafter Street and said; “it is dirty and should be cleaned.” Engineer Neville Shaw said the streets are given a major clean twice and year and the next scheduled clean is coming soon.
Rafter Street has been progressive in recent times. After 12 years dereliction at the old Dunnes Stores site, HomeSavers moved in there at the end of 2020, a new pharmacy opened, and along with a variety of long established businesses it is a busy and welcoming shopping environment.
There is also a pending population growth with the encouragement to target the reuse and refurbishment of vacant residential floors of mixed-use buildings and plans to re-populate ‘over the premises’ property in the town centre.
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