Cappoquin regeneration
Combatting dereliction and vacant properties
Addressing issues of vacancy, dereliction and the underuse of properties in Cappoquin is the remit of the Cappoquin Regeneration Company, which are currently overseeing a number of projects to revitalise the west Waterford town.
Speaking with The Avondhu, Denis McCarthy of Cappoquin Regeneration Company Ltd., highlighted the aims of the projects currently underway.
“We have been subjected to vacancy and dereliction in Cappoquin, with people moving out or leaving properties for various reasons. Our aim is to get these properties, particularly those in the centre of the town, refurbished and filled. By doing this, we are hoping to see significant improvements in the economy of the town.
“We’re also addressing the amenity side of the town and the two of these in tandem will hopefully attract people back to Cappoquin and to town centre living,” Mr McCarthy said.
AMBITIOUS SCHEME
Cappoquin Regeneration Company was established on March 26, 2019, and is a sister company of Cappoquin Community Development Company CLG which was established in 1993. Both companies have the same 4 directors and 14 person management committees, all of whom are volunteers.
According to the company, their main objective is to improve the quality of life of residents of the town and surrounding areas by reversing the current economic, physical and social decline of the town, by addressing issues of vacancy, dereliction and underuse of properties.
“This will be achieved by purchasing properties in the town, refurbishing in an environmentally sustainable manner and bringing them back into active use. This physical regeneration will lead to the social and economic development of the town for the benefit of the residents of the town and its catchment area,” the company notes.
The first management committee meeting of the company took place on May 8, 2019, with meetings held on the second Wednesday of each month. Charitable status was also granted to the company in February 2020 by the Charities Regulatory Authority.
Since the Cappoquin Regeneration Company’s formation, the west Waterford town was announced as one of six towns in the country to participate in a pilot programme run by the Department of Rural and Community Development to produce innovative proposals on how best to attract people to live in town centres.
Waterford City and County Council (WCCC) was granted €100,000 under the pilot programme for Cappoquin and hired DHB Architectural Consultants to develop these innovative proposals. In conjunction with DHB and Cappoquin Regeneration Company, they identified the Upper Main St/Green St property block as being the most suitable for these innovative residential proposals that were outlined in a February 2020 report titled ‘Cappoquin Pilot Scheme - Addressing Residential Vacancy’.
Subsequently, in February 2020 a report entitled ‘Cappoquin Pilot Scheme – Addressing Residential Vacancy’ was submitted to the Department of Rural & Community Development. Members of Cappoquin Regeneration Company made a presentation on the proposals for the regeneration of the town to a joint Dáil Committee on Rural and Community Development on November 6, 2019.
Funding of €1.6 million was awarded to Cappoquin in July 2020 under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, of which €1.2 million came from central government funds, with €200,000 from WCCC and €200,000 from the Tomar Trust.
The allocation of funding was granted under 5 different strands, namely Town Centre Properties, Residential Pilot scheme, Public Realm, Access to River Blackwater and Cappoquin as a recreational hub.
“This regeneration project and the associated projects are fundamental to the revival of Cappoquin town and we wish to acknowledge the extensive support received from the staff and councillors of Waterford City and Co Council, Waterford LEADER Partnership and the Tomar Trust,” Mr McCarthy said.
CATEGORY 1 FUNDING
Over the last two years, the Cappoquin Regeneration Company has purchased four derelict and vacant properties in the town centre, three properties on Upper Main Street and four adjoining properties on Green Street.
Planning permission for the town centre properties, the housing pilot scheme, and public realm improvements were granted in September of last year. It is intended that the ground floor of the town centre properties will operate as retail or office spaces, with residential areas on the second floor.
Buildings on Main Street and Green Street will be refurbished as modern energy-efficient town housing with the Green Street sections to serve as an office, workshop, playrooms, extra bed space or granny apartments associated with the main residence on Main Street.
These properties along with the housing pilot scheme and public realm developments form part of a Category 1 funding application to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to be submitted in April.
INITIAL GROUNDWORK
Head of Enterprise at Waterford City and County Council, Richie Walsh, explained that works under the regeneration scheme to date have mainly consisted of preparatory and enabling works, such as acquisitions and attaining relevant planning permission.
“What’s been happening up to now is primarily about design works rather than construction works. For the Rural Regeneration Fund, we have an operational team in place to advance this. Up to now it has been primarily design and acquiring properties,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh confirmed that the next stage in Cappoquin’s regeneration would be to achieve Category 1 funding in order for works to be carried out.
Denis McCarthy of Cappoquin Regeneration Company Ltd stated that the application will be prepared by WCCC in conjunction with Cappoquin Regeneration Company.
“The application will include the restoration of Fennells, Uniacke’s shop, Moore’s, No’s 6, 7 and 8 Upper Main Street and corresponding properties to the rear on Green Street and public realm improvements at the Square, former Council depot at Twig bog and car park at the rear of houses at Lower Main Street. We are hoping to begin construction on these properties in January 2023, subject to funding”.
MUCH POTENTIAL
According to Mr McCarthy, assessments in relation to amenity development in Cappoquin are currently underway.
“The assessments of the looped walk over the old railway bridge and biodiversity park are proceeding at present and all relevant landowners and stakeholders have been contacted. Consultants have been appointed for the projects and designs are being prepared at present.
“Consultants have also been appointed for the Blackwater Blueway Assessment. This assessment will cover the Blackwater River from the Cork county boundary to Youghal,” he said.
It is hoped that the looped walk over the Old Railway Bridge and biodiversity park will be part of a future application by WCCC under the Outdoor Recreation Investment Scheme (ORIS).
“Over the next few years, we look forward to the refurbishment of many derelict and vacant properties in the town centre and provision of additional amenities on the river front with improved access, which will make Cappoquin an attractive place to live, work and visit,” Mr McCarthy concluded.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION UPCOMING
According to Head of Enterprise at Waterford City and County Council, Richie Walsh, a public meeting is to be held in Cappoquin, with a provisional date of February 24, regarding the regeneration scheme where there will be public consultation and where information can be shared on developments in the town.