Planners welcome for Sligo projects
THE body representing planners has welcomed the multi-million projects announced for Sligo over the past week.
Joe Corr, President of the Irish Planning Institute welcomed the six keystone projects for Sligo as cornerstones and enablers of targeted social and economic growth for the region as envisaged in Ireland 2040.
Mr. Corr was speaking in response to the announcements this week and last of the first allocations of funding under both the Rural and the Urban Regeneration and Development Funds which had been launched earlier this year.
The Sligo projects confirmed for funding are: The Yeats Trail - a cultural heritage trail covering 15 locations across the county - €500,000; The National Centre of Excellence for Surfing, Strandhill - €615,752; Garavogue river, Eastern Bridge and Approach Roads €3,300,000; O’Connell Street Enhancement - €1,236,000; Cultural Plaza (Stephen St Car Park) - €750,000.
Mr Corr noted that the varied projects announced are focused on infrastructural improvement and economic development in the first instance with an emphasis on access, heritage, tourism and regeneration.
The two funds are part of the overall €4 billion commitment to investment and capital spending in Ireland over the next 10 years under Project Ireland 2040.
“When they were announced, there was a lot of curiosity as to how these funds would work. In less than six months, it is impressive and reassuring to see over many projects of substance that will create benefit and value for tens of thousands of citizens get a green light for action in 2019.
“We congratulate Local Authorities like Sligo County Council and their professional teams on the work to make this happen.
“In their work as ‘plan makers’ professional planners, in both public and private sector roles, are acutely aware of the need for investment by government to kickstart development in a strategic way. It is critical to open out opportunities to develop communities and to create a basis for sustainable economic activity that will underpin those communities.
“These announcements are very positive steps towards better planned development in the future as envisaged in Ireland 2040.
“While there are genuine concerns to be addressed to ensure that the commitment to effective planning remains central to the investment planned, we congratulate government on the intent and the work of getting to today.”