Urban regeneration of Bridge Street and Linenhall Street waiting on imminent decision on government funding
THE Urban Regeneration and Development Fund ( URDF) was established in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development, through the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s large urban towns, in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and National Development Plan.
This is to enable a greater proportion of housing and commercial development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our towns and to ensure that more parts of our urban areas can become attractive and vibrant places in which people choose to live and work, as well as to invest and to visit.
In recent years, Louth County Council has been able to transform our town square, deliver a €5 Million rejuvenation scheme for Clanbrassil Street and Church Street, secure €533,000 Urban Regeneration Funding the improvement and upgrading of the Longwalk.
But while all of this investment has been happening, Bridge Street and Linenhall Street and the north end of Dundalk town has been left behind.
Louth County Council submitted a really ambitious application for Bridge Street and Linenhall Street and provided additional documentation in April 2020 in support of their application.
It is a really excellent application and full credit must go to everyone in Louth County Council who were involved in putting it together. If the Council’s vision is fully realised it will radically transform the north end of town to previously unimagined levels. It will completely change the perception of the area while building upon its rich history, heritage and natural quality and to create a new look north end that is more attractive to existing businesses and residents alike. It will also become an attractive location for investors and tourists.
The submission proposes that the project will be split into two Phases.
Phase 1 has Part 8 planning approval and will consist of the Regeneration of the public realm of the northern gateway, Bridge Street, Linenhall Street, Northgate Street, and the Peace Park.
Phase 2 will consist of Feasibility study and preliminary design to Part 8 planning approval and will include Compulsory Purchase Orders of vacant and derelict properties along Bridge Street and Linenhall Street and also portions of back lands areas required to transform this area into a vibrant town centre location.
Approving this application will open up previously unimagined potential for the north end of Dundalk. Residential units above shop fronts will entice younger people to live above the shop front once more. It will unlock pedestrian space and create a thriving community space right in the heart of Dundalk. It will improve the streetscape for our elderly and people with disabilities while vacant and derelict buildings will be replaced with new retail units in which young entrepreneurs can get their first start.
This can also be a flagship project for the Department of Housing also, where Dundalk and this application can be a shining example to other towns and local authorities around the country about how beneficial Urban Regeneration Funding can be.
In total, the project will cost in the region of €7 Million and funding will have to be achieved through two applications under Urban Regeneration Funding. However, with an allocation of €2 Billion to spent between 2019 and 2027 there is more than enough financial space for two applications to receive the require funding
A decision will be made in early 2021 and we do not know whether it will be successful or not as there is strong competition for the funding from other towns around Ireland. However, one thing is for certain, Bridge Street and Linenhall Street can no longer be forgotten about and substantial investment is needed to make sure the north end of Dundalk is on the same level playing field as the rest of our town.