Funding boost for Mallow projects

MALLOW received a welcome financial boost this week after the town secured a funding windfall under a Government urban regeneration fund.

Earlier this year officials from Cork County Council’s Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District applied for funding for local projects under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, a government initiative that will see €2 billion invested in projects across the country to 2027.

Part of Project Ireland 2040, the Government’s National Planning Framework and Development Plan, the fund is aimed at rejuvenating “significant but underused” areas in Ireland’s cities and other large towns.

It aims to stimulate new residential and commercial developments in a process of collaboration between Government agencies, local authorities and communities.

A total of 88 projects received funding totalling more than €100 million under the first tranche of the initiative, with Mallow receiving €470,000.

Mallow had sought funding under category A of the scheme, which relates to ‘shovel ready’ projects that will be undertaken within the next 12-months.

Under the application funding of almost €4.5 million was sought for three Mallow projects: the bridge board-walk; a package that included works to the castle, town park and Spa House and public realm upgrades covering remedial works to footpaths and the under-grounding of overhead cables and the provision of street furniture.

While the amount of funding awarded to the town was less that had been sought, a spokesperson for Cork County Council said they were delighted with the allocation.

“We will need to assess the projects in relation to the amount of funding received and see where it will be best spent to give maximum value,” said the spokesperson.

The funding has been welcomed by Cllr John Paul O’Shea (FG), who said it would be of significant benefit.

“Mallow is an important town, not just for north Cork but the entire Munster region,” said Cllr O’Shea.

“This funding will help to ensure Mallow remains an attractive and vibrant place to both live and work in,” he added .