Town centre plan discussion

Members of the Enniscorthy Business Association and Enniscorthy & District Chamber of Commerce held exploratory talks with Mick McCormack, Town Regeneration Officer on Friday last with a view to progressing the Enniscorthy Town First Centre Plan which, in the opinion of many, has stagnated in recent months.

Mr. McCormack outlined for the meeting the present position regarding Wexford County Council and An Bord Pleanala which has been asked to adjudicate on who should have the final say regarding the implementation of the plan. There is a conflict of interest between the Town Traders and the County Council on this point with a member of the traders having referred Part 8 of the overall plan which deals with the pedestrianisation of Market Square to An Bord Pleanala for adjudication. The trader in question is firmly of the view, supported by his colleagues and the Chamber of Commerce, that An Board Pleanala should be the final arbitrator while Wexford County Council holds the view they should make the final decision.

However, with no communication to date from An Bord Pleanala, the Town Centre First Plan remains in a sort of limbo which is unacceptable both to the traders and to the Chamber. At Friday’s meeting they told Town Regeneration Officer Mick McCormack to use all his influence to get an early decision from the Board in order for the plan to move ahead at an acceptable pace. They also re-iterated their total opposition to the Council’s plan as it is presently drafted and said there was no possibility of it being accepted by the people of Enniscorthy, apart altogether from the Business Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

That having been said, Mr. McCormack was left in no doubt as to the support he can expect from the business community if the objections to Part 8 can be overcome. Part 8 calls for the elimination of all parking from the Market Square and the pedestrianisation of the town centre area. The plan, however, makes no reference to additional parking spaces being provided elsewhere and herein lies the crux of the problem. Traders rightfully say the elimination of town centre parking will decimate business and lead to job losses in every sector of business. They point to an alternative plan drawn up by internationally recognised Architect, Niall O’ Byrne and commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, which clearly outlines how the Council’s original plan can, with minimum alterations, be fully implemented to the satisfaction of all concerned. So far, however, the County Council has given no indication of being willing to entertain the views and concerns of the business and local community and this is leading to friction between the various parties.

Enniscorthy Business Association has produced a pamphlet containing a series of questions which candidates seeking election to Enniscorthy Municipal District Council on June 7 th., should be asked when calling to doors seeking electoral support. Declaring “our town centre is changing – it could be damaged forever”, the pamphlet asks five questions dealing with the Enniscorthy Town Centre First Plan which all candidates should answer before receiving a pledge of support on the doorstep. The pamphlet concludes “Enniscorthy Councillors make the decisions, but we decide who is elected|”, an indication in itself of the depth of feeling in Enniscorthy over this emotive issue.

An solo exhibition of paintings by renowned local Artist, Padraig Nolan opened to critical acclaim in the Presentation Centre on Saturday night last. The exhibition was launched by award winning singer, musician and writer Paul O’Reilly and will run daily in the Presentation ART Gallery until July 6th., Admission is free and no bookings are required.

Also in the Presentation Centre, Blackstairs Mountain Theatre will present John McGahern’s “The Power of Darkness” for three nights from May 29 at 8 p.m. Admission is €15 and promises to be a production not to be missed.