Ballymahon announced as next Longford location for Town Centre First Plan

Longford Town Centre First plan to be published in coming weeks

Press release: 4 March 2024

Ballymahon is among the next 26 towns across Ireland to be allocated funding for the development of a Town Centre First plan as part of the second phase of the ambitious, multi-million-euro government initiative to breathe new life into their town centres.

It follows the development of the ‘Longford Town Centre First’ plan under the first phase, which is nearing completion and will be published on Longfordcoco.ie in the coming weeks.

The Longford Town Team along with the Longford Town Regeneration Officer as part of Longford County Council, responsible for developing the Longford ‘Town Centre First’ plan, was recognised recently at an event held in Limerick, attended by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell, when the announcement of Phase II was made.

The event, which was attended by the Longford Town Regeneration Officer Lorraine O’Connor, recognised the 26 towns and communities that are now moving forward with ambitious plans for their areas under the Town Centre First Programme.

The Plans which were developed in consultation with local communities represent the vision of local people for their area and contain proposals for a diverse range of projects such as redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, boosting SME and tourism potential, and protecting historical landmarks.

The new Town Regeneration Officers have been appointed in every Local Authority to drive implementation of the new plans with the support of Government funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Town Centre First Heritage Revival (THRIVE) Scheme and the Historic Towns Initiative.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, said, “Communities are at the heart of rural Ireland. Town Centre First is all about empowering people to develop a vision for their town that can make it a better place to live, work, invest in and enjoy. These Plans and the new Town Regeneration Officers are about ensuring there is a strategic and coherent approach at the local level to tackling vacancy and dereliction in our towns and villages.”

“Government is firmly committed to strategic projects that will transform rural Ireland such as under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, and we are already seeing the hugely positive impacts of investment right across County Longford.”

Minister Humphreys also announced the next 26 Towns that have been approved to develop Town Centre First Plans, “I am pleased to also announce the next 26 successful towns across the country who we will support with funding of €30,000 each to complete a comprehensive town plan to help develop their town centres.”

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O'Donnell, said, “It is a pleasure to launch the inaugural Town Centre First Plans today here in Limerick. This Government has committed to multi-billion euro investment in regenerating and revitalising towns and urban centres across Ireland. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is supporting the delivery of the Town Centre First policy approach through major funding schemes such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Croí Cónaithe Fund and Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the ERDF-supported THRIVE Fund.

“The Town Centre First approach empowers local communities and businesses, supported by Local Authorities, to guide and direct investment to maximise the particular strengths and assets of their town.”

“In a joint initiative, my Department along with DRCD has established a National Town Centre First Office, within the LGMA, to support the delivery of the policy.

“I also wish to congratulate and commend all the local communities and Town Teams for their dedicated work in designing these exciting Town Centre First plans – I look forward to seeing them fully implemented in the time ahead.

Towns now have a unique opportunity to participate in Town Centre First and create more vibrant and attractive town centres.

Launched in 2022, Town Centre First is driving one of the biggest-ever programmes of investments in rural Ireland and has a core aim of confronting dereliction and the general decline in the health of Ireland’s town centres.

To find out more about the initiative and how communities can become involved, visit TownCentreFirst.ie.