Dereliction to be tackled in Villierstown
A 0.6 acre site with derelict buildings in Villierstown is to be purchased and revitalised under a €4.5 million Building Acquisition Measure.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, on Monday announced the funding to help tackle dereliction and vacancy in rural Ireland. In total, the investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, will see 24 old and derelict buildings repurposed for 21st century community use.
Among the projects is the Villierstown site which will see derelict buildings regenerated into a modern permanent structure such as a boathouse, camping site, additional parking facilities and a multi-purpose community space.
“This initiative is all about giving our local communities the tools to address the challenges of vacancy and dereliction in their towns and villages. Through this funding, we are taking those run-down buildings and turning them into facilities that will benefit communities for generations to come," Minister Humphreys said.
“By doing so, we will help to drive footfall into our town centres, increase tourism and, above all, make our rural towns and villages even better places to live, work, invest, visit and raise a family,” she said.
Other projects that will be included under the initiative include former garda stations, schools, post offices, parish halls, restaurants, public houses and vacant sites.
TIPPERARY PROJECTS
The announcement represents the second year of investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme’s Building Acquisition Measure.
“I am very pleased with the range of buildings which we have been able to support under this initiative and I look forward to these buildings being developed for community use in the coming months,” Minister Humphreys added.
Two projects in Tipperary were also funded under the initiative, including the purchase of a three-storey former public house and fast-food outlet in Tipperary Town to convert it into a multi-purpose community space.
On the Galbally Road, the purchase of a former garage was earmarked under the initiative for use as a space for community and voluntary groups in line with the Tipperary Town Strategy and Action Plan.
“The announcement today shows the real impact that ‘Our Rural Future’ is having across the country. We’ve never experienced more exciting things happening in Rural Ireland than we are today. We will continue to work with local communities to ensure that our rural towns and villages continue to be vibrant places to live and work, with people of all ages – young and old – seeing and realising the benefits,” Minister Humphreys concluded.