Courtown and Riverchapel set to benefit from Town Centre First plan
THE process behind the Town Centre First plan which will be carried out in the Courtown/ Riverchapel area of north Wexford was explained to councillors at a Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District meeting last week.
It was outlined that Town Centre First Plan aims to create towns that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations through a collaborative process creating town centres where people want to live, work, play and learn.
Town Centre First is a community led initiative culminating in an evidence based plan for towns with populations between 400 to 10,000.
“As we know, Courtown has a population between 4,000 and 5,000 so it’s a substantial town in terms of Town Centre First,” said Town Regeneration Officer, Mick McCormack.
Town Centre First is Ireland’s first consistent approach to place-making using an evidenced based approach methodology.
Mr McCormack’s role is to implement the Town Centre First principals and processes.
“Essentially, it’s my job to get the plan over the line through working with the community, establishing assist town teams, drive town centre first objectives through these town teams and collaborate with the vacant homes officer and planning special projects,” he said.
Engagement with the local community is at the centre of this project.
Mr McCormack is expecting to start the first stage of this project in the upcoming weeks and forming a town team. Consultants will be appointed as it is an urban regeneration plan. An analysis of town issues will be carried out with key data discussed as well as brainstorming.
Firstly, a plan will be drafted, then a review of the plan will be carried out by the town team and key stakeholders. The town team will consist of local experts from diverse groups such as community organisations, local development sector, retailers, landlords, business associations, charities, representative from an Garda Síochána, developers as well as members of the public and local residents.
The plan is informed by national and regional policy as well as local policy.
Ultimately, the plan will be implemented by the Town Centre Team, Town Regeneration Officers, a local authority multi-disciplinary team and local community business groups.
Following that, the plan will be adopted by the town team, a selection of priority projects will be chosen and finally they’ll apply for funding.
“You’re then in a well-armed position with your Town Centre First plan in your back pocket for all these funding streams that will then come.”
“One of the things that’s different from a Town Centre First plan as well is that it is an urban regeneration plan and there’s lots of strategies and science behind it but there’s also a pipeline of projects,” said Mr McCormack.
There’s 26 Town Regeneration Officers in counties across Ireland. “Challenges facing towns, we all know what those are, whether your in any town in the country, but Gorey may be one of the better ones. Building vacancy, dereliction, how to increase employment in town centres, poor pedestrian and cycling access, less desire to live in town centres, lack of parking, access to green spaces, climate change adaptation, digital transformation, remote working.
“I’m looking forward to working with the community and groups in the area and the councillors here. I’ve been talking to a number for a heads up with the area,” said Mr McCormack.
Cathaoirleach Pip Breen commended Mr McCormack for the presentation. “Mick has a very broad canvas there for your vision and hopefully it will bring to fruition a must needed boost to Courtown/Riverchapel. I think it’s very timely and it does need it.”
Town Centre First Plans have already been completed in Enniscorthy and New Ross.
YOU’RE THEN IN A WELL-ARMED POSITION WITH YOUR TOWN CENTRE FIRST PLAN IN YOUR BACK POCKET FOR FUNDING STREAMS THAT WILL COME