Regeneration

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Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2021

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2021 has recently been launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

The Town & Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects that support our towns and villages to be more attractive and sustainable. The 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme will place particular emphasis on projects supporting remote working and enhancing town centre living as outlined in “Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025”. The scheme supports a broad range of strategic proposals which encourage more people to return confidently to town and village centres to work, shop and socialise.

The minimum grant available is €20,000 and the maximum grant is being raised to €500,000 this year to permit projects of additional scale to be funded. The increased funding is being made to align the scheme with the type of projects and level of ambition identified in “Our Rural Future". Projects that support the economic and social recovery of our towns and villages in response to COVID-19 will continue to be supported.

Selection of projects under the Scheme will be by means of a competitive process.  Final project selection will be made by the Department of Rural and Community Development based on applications submitted by the Local Authorities. 

Longford County Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from town/village groups who may have a suitable project for consideration under the Scheme.  All Expressions of Interest will be assessed based on the priorities as contained in the Scheme Outlines. Details of the Town and Village 2021 Scheme together with the EOI form and "Our Rural Future" policy document can be accessed on the links below:

Expression-of-Interest-Form-Town-&-Village-2022.docx (size 289.7 KB)

Our-Rural-Future---Rural-Development-Policy-2021-2025.pdf (size 4.1 MB)

2021--Town-and-Village-Scheme-Outline.pdf (size 871.1 KB)

All interested town/village groups who wish to submit an Expression of Interest should email their completed forms and details to regen@longfordcoco.ie no later than 5pm on 26th May 2021.

RRDF Funding Announced for Ballymahon, Co. Longford on 19 April 2021

The Regeneration team is delighted to welcome the announcement of €6 million funding for Ballymahon, Co. Longford by Minister Heather Humphreys. This project involves the renovation of three historic town centre buildings including the vacant former convent building, the old Boys School and the former Dean Egan Library into a Co-Working Space, Youth Hub and a Community Centre.This is a transformational regeneration project for Ballymahon to address the social, economic and physical needs of the town. The project will bring a number of vacant buildings located in the centre of the town back into use to provide key services for the local community including enhanced family support services, a new dedicated youth club, enhanced elderly care services and a new rural working hub. The project will have a significant and sustainable impact on the social and economic development of the community by delivering a campus of scale that will provide community services and deliver sustainable regeneration.

Minister announces €14 million for Camlin Quarter Regeneration, creating a vibrant, dynamic and pedestrian-focused town core

Longford County Council is delighted to welcome the announcement on 8 March 2021 of a combined central Government and Longford County Council funded package totalling nearly €14 million for the Camlin Quarter Regeneration Project in Longford town under the government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).
The funding was confirmed on Monday 8 March by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien and Longford Westmeath TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke. This ambitious project, together with the already commenced €4 million Longford Connected Project, will completely transform the core of Longford town, increasing footfall from both locals and visitors by improving the commercial environment and attracting future inward investment to address the cycle of economic downturn of recent years.

Cathaoirleach Paul Ross explained “This is Longford’s time to shine. This project represents a visionary approach and is the single biggest government funding investment to come to Longford (€10.44 million plus €3.48 million match funding by Longford County Council), which will take three to four years to complete and will see the culmination of a number of plans for the area including the Camlin Masterplan, which reimagines the area underlining the importance of the Camlin River as a key asset within the town centre.”

The Camlin Quarter Regeneration Project focuses on the northern heart of the town of Longford including both sides of the River Camlin, the area surrounding Connolly Barracks, Church Street, Bridge Street, Lower Main Street, Great Water Street, Little Water Street and the Providers building.
This area has suffered the loss of key commercial services in recent years which has decreased footfall causing overall decline. This project is a series of interventions to re-energise more than 55 acres of the northern town core area. It prioritises the pedestrian experience, celebrates the historic significance of the area and most importantly, will attract sustainable public and private sector investment to stimulate the immediate economy.

Delighted with the news, Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said “This is a vote of confidence by central Government in the ambition shown by Longford County Council to deliver a series of transformative flagship projects for Longford Town that we have been planning since 2018. We remain confident of further largescale central Government supports in the time ahead which will enable Longford County Council to unlock the true potential of Longford town.”

Cathaoirleach of Longford Municipal District Peggy Nolan paid tribute to the Executive of Longford County Council. “I wish to compliment everybody involved in this exceptional achievement. This is the result of five years of working together because together we’re stronger. Nobody knows the needs of the people of Longford better than those who serve and as Cathaoirleach of Longford MD, I want to acknowledge both my fellow Elected Members and the Executive for their dedication and diligence.”

Chief Executive Paddy Mahon emphasised the Council’s commitment to the project and the importance of consultation and collaboration with businesses and communities. He also said “The forward-thinking decision taken by elected members in recent years to increase the Local Property Tax has enabled Longford County Council to take on such ambitious projects and it has perfectly positioned it to deliver this transformative vision for this area. It represents a richly deserved return on investment for the Local Property Tax payer and Commercial Rate payer of Co Longford alike.

Terry Rooney of Longford County Council Regeneration Team said “After so many years of detailed planning, the members of the Regeneration Team are delighted that this funding is now being allocated. The project, which will greatly enhance the investment potential of the area, will set the scene for future projects of scale, planned and proposed”.

Cathaoirleach Paul Ross thanked the Regeneration Team for working tirelessly on bringing the project to this stage. “Today’s announcement is further proof of the Government’s commitment to the rejuvenation of regional towns like Longford. Today is the first step in what will be a transformative time for Longford town. It’s going to change the environment in which we live and work and will continue to make Longford the place to be.”

Longford’s Camlin Quarter sits at the northern end of the town centre, on either side of the Camlin River. Once forming a strong urban axis, with Market Square in the south and Connolly Barracks in the north, the loss of key industries and services in this area significantly decreased pedestrian activity, leading to vacancy, dereliction and general decline. The Camlin Quarter regeneration project seeks to address this imbalance and revitalise this area, with focused interventions at key areas to bring back activity and build on the wealth of existing assets, such as the award-winning Albert Reynolds Peace park (ARPP), to act as a catalyst for future developments and ensure sustainability.
Elements of the plan include:
• The extension of the Albert Reynolds Peace Park to include recently acquired Council lands at Abbeycartron and the extension of pedestrian links established through this area across the Camlin.
• The development of new recreational amenities along the Camlin River, further prioritising the pedestrian experience within our town core and enhancing biodiversity
• Improvements to streetscapes and public spaces around the Connolly Barracks and Church Street area
• Improvements to the Bridge Street Junction, Lower Main Street and down Great Water Street to include the area around the Council buildings
• Planned development in line with the principles of compact urban growth to increase residential occupancy and bring life back into town core
• The refurbishment of the Providers building bringing it back into sustainable and beneficial use and generate activity at this important location
• Improving movement and connectivity in the area by creating a physical link between Strokestown Road and Little Water Street to support revitalisation measures

Camlin Quarter Regeneration is a placemaking initiative that aims to connect existing assets while addressing dereliction, vacancy and use mix to allow the area to reach its full potential in achieving a vibrant, dynamic and pedestrian focussed town core. The project is based on the policies adopted by Longford County Council in the Town and Environs Local Area plan that recognises the strategic importance of the area along the River and aims to strengthen connections between the Canal, the Camlin and the functional areas in between. The Camlin Quarter Masterplan further developed these ideas in consultation with the local community and formed the basis for this project.

Funding was sought for the development of this project under the Urban Regeneration and Development fund (URDF), administered by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The fund is in place for towns with a population of over 10,000 to secure the national strategic objectives outlined under project Ireland 2040. The fund provides for large-scale strategic projects to promote economic vitality, liveability and environmental quality of town centres and to act as catalysts for ongoing sustainable regeneration. The project aligns with the ongoing “Longford Connected” urban realm improvements that received funding from the

URDF in 2019 which, when combined with Council resources, will see almost €4 million spent.
The Camlin Regeneration Project is concerned with six strategic areas on either side of the Camlin River, carefully chosen to ensure maximum impact for investment and to build on existing assets. The closure of Connolly Barracks significantly accelerated the downturn of activity in the Camlin Quarter. This project addresses the setting of the Barracks, improving access via Little Water Street and providing a riverside recreation area to extend the reach of the Albert Reynolds Peace park (ARPP) and improve town centre biodiversity. Public Spaces will be transformed at the Barracks Plaza and Church Street, framing its “gateway” position into the town core from the Battery road and as a pedestrian route linking to ARPP and the river.

Improvements are also planned to the Bridge Street Junction, down through Great Water Street and taking in the Council buildings. These will include accessibility to the Riverside and linking existing urban parkland areas with new spaces to encourage a more walkable town centre. Planned development includes targeted housing types in line with the principles of compact urban growth to increase residential occupancy and bring life back to town centres. The ARPP will be extended to include recently acquired Council lands at Abbeycartron and pedestrian links established through this area across the Camlin and onto the existing Slí na Sláinte. Improvements at the existing Mall Complex will further encourage its use as a recreational centre of excellence for the surrounding schools, residential area and town centre users and as a pedestrian network to access town centre services, employment and education.

The project includes the refurbishment of the Providers Building to bring it back into sustainable and beneficial use, acting as an anchor and generating activity at this strategic location. Aligned with the theme of creating strategic links, the establishment of a connection between the Strokestown Road and Little Water Street is a critical element managing movement in the area and enabling its revitalisation.

The project is ambitious in its scale and extent and is required to break the cycle of economic downturn in the area. This is reflected in the three to four-year timeframe and €14m budget allocation, secured through the URDF and matched by Council own resources.

Longford County Council participate in the URBACT European exchange and learning programme that promotes sustainable urban development. An URBACT local group (ULG) was established to identify, develop and drive projects in the Longford area. This group is made up of local representatives, groups and organisations including the Chamber of Commerce and the Gardaí and has significantly contributed to the Camlin Quarter Regeneration project. Completing projects in the areas of Military Areas as Public Spaces (MAPS) and progressing others in the enhancement of urban security (URBsecurity), the ULG continue to feed into town core regeneration.

ORIS Funding Announced on 4 March 2021

On 4th March 2021 the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys T.D. announced funding for projects under Measure 2 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. The scheme provides funding for the development, promotion and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways, and blueways.  The Regeneration team at Longford County Council are delighted with the funding  received of  €200k for Newtownforbes Bog Walk, a development of c. 2.9km trail linking the village of Newtownforbes with the nearby countryside, through grassland, bog and forest and €200k for Phase one of the construction of a walkway/cycleway linking Ballymahon Town with Newcastle Woods, along the River Inny.

Fit-out of Broadband Connection Points in Co Longford

This project to fit out seven centres identified at Moydow Community centre,  Mullinlaghta Community Centre, Colmcille, Ballymore and Carrickedmond GAA clubhouses, Moyne Latin School and Longford Aviation Ltd has completed in February 2021 with the support of the Broadband Officer in Longford County Council. Each facility has been provided  with a flat smart screen, a multi-functional printer, desks and chairs, screens and necessary electrical equipment. A dedicated room has been identified in each building for the development of remote working facilities. This project is important particularly in Covid 19 times, where many people are working remotely and will bring added value to the BCPs, ensuring that they are not just accessible points from outside the buildings but that they can greatly benefit the communities in which they are located.

Rural Working Hubs Webinar on 3 March 2021

Longford County Council, as part of their participation in the Rural Working Hubs project, hosted an online information webinar on Wednesday 3rd March 2021 to provide groups and individuals interested in establishing rural working hubs an insight into the various types of hubs as well as practical information on their operation. We were delighted to welcome Stephen Carolan of the Western Development Commission who are leading the way in supporting the development of hubs in rural Ireland and Leah Fairman, manager of The Base Enterprise Centre in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. The webinar provided groups with some valuable insight into what it takes to run a successful hub and the importance of the building of a strong community. The various types of hubs were outlined so groups can identify where they fit within the hub network and the different services that are required. We hope that the information session provided groups interested in the establishment of a hub in their community valuable information that will result in the development of a strong hub network across County Longford.  The webinar can be viewed on the link below.

https://youtu.be/Ib29oRQFqcI

Keenagh Village Enhancement

The final part of a Village Enhancement Plan, which was drafted by Keenagh and District Development Association  completed recently. The project which included removal of electricity and telephone poles from the village  and their replacement with new cast iron poles fitted with energy efficient lighting has greatly enhanced the streetscape of the village and the visitor experience to the area. This has  added to the other developments enclosed in the plan i.e. a new Community Playground, new Walk/Cycle ways installed along the Royal Canal, in Corlea Bog and around the village itself and numerous pieces of Artwork in the village. The Enhancement plan to date has increased visitor and tourist numbers in the area. This has been of particular benefit to the businesses in the village.

Invitation to Rural Working Hubs Webinar on 3 March 2021

Longford County Council invites you to an information session on the development of rural working hubs with Stephen Carolan of the Western Development Commission and Leah Fairman of Base Enterprise, a successful co-working space in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. Stephen and Leah will give an insight to the various types of hubs and what a hub needs to operate, as well as information on the day to day requirements of operating a hub and what works well and not in a hub. The webinar takes place from 3pm to 5pm on 3 March 2021 via Microsoft Teams.

Please send an email to regen@longfordcoco.ie by Friday 26th February 2021 to register your interest in attending this webinar. Details on how to access this webinar will then be sent to you. 

ORIS Funding Announcement on 18 January 2021

The Regeneration Department at Longford County Council are delighted with the funding announced by the Department of Rural and Community Development amounting to €122,745.45 for the following projects:

Town and Village Funding Announcement 

On 8th January 2021 Minister Heather Humphreys TD announced  funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Longford County Council Regeneration department are happy to announce that a total of €403,388 has been awarded to the county under this latest announcement. The funding will assist Longford’s towns and villages to implement measures to respond to the challenges associated with COVID-19, to help aid their economic recovery and to make them safer places to live and work. The range of projects to be implemented include provision  for development of remote working facilities, the provision of a walking/cycling track to support recreational amenities and public-realm work on footpaths, lighting  and signage to enhance town centre streetscapes. Longford County Council’s Regeneration team in conjunction with the community groups and town teams look forward to implementation of the following projects in 2021.

Knappogue Bog Walk

Work recently completed on the construction of a new trail of approximately 2.5km in length accommodating walking and cycling through Knappogue Bog. This key piece of tourism infrastructure in Co. Longford links the Royal Canal Greenway at Clondra with Lanesborough. The completion of this project has had a significant impact on the delivery of tourism infrastructure within the county and the Hidden Heartlands and  is an important element in the delivery of the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park Greenway.

Killashee Car Park

The development of a car park which accommodates thirty eight car parking spaces adjoining the church in the village of Killashee  has completed in December 2020. The works required excavation and removal of topsoil and roadside material, importing suitable fill material, providing and laying kerbing, erection of lighting, and a retaining wall along the roadside to the front of the church in order to protect the road.  This project enhances the safety for users of the carpark and road users at this very busy traffic location.             

Mosstown Mill, Keenagh

Work has completed on the repair of stone work and carpark formation at Mosstown/Limetree Avenue access road.  This project is part of a larger plan to connect amenities in the local villages to the Royal Canal Greenway and the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park to encourage users to spend longer in the area. Funding was provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the 2019 Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme and Longford Council Council.

The Mall Walk, Longford town

Upgrade works which include fencing, street lighting and tarmacadam to upgrade the surface has completed on the entrance trail from St Johns Church Battery Road to The Albert Reynolds Peace Park in Longford town. Due to its proximity to the town centre and accessibility, the area is very popular for walking and running, as well as those involved in organised sports. These enhancement works to the existing trail which is 2.6kms approx. in length will be greatly welcomed by the many users of this facility.

Rural Working Hubs Webinar 

On 24 November 2020 the Regeneration Department, with our project partners in Leader Aisapari in Finland held a very successful webinar to discuss rural working hubs with over ninety participants taking part from across Ireland, Finland and Europe. Among the speakers from Ireland and Finland were Minister Robert Troy, Tracy Keogh, co-founder of Grow Remote Ireland  and Stephen Carolan, Western Development Commission. The discussion provided participants with an insight into the policy context, strategic approach and good practices in the development of rural working hubs, as well as practical experience from a community perspective. We hope that by sharing best practice, both nationally and internationally, we will help to develop a network of hubs across the county that will allow people to have a healthier work life balance and  help to regenerate our towns and villages.

World Urbanism Day

The following short presentation provides an overview of World Urbanism Day and sets out how the Longford URBACT Local group and Regeneration Section work together in support of sustainable social, economic and environmental development in urban and rural areas throughout County Longford.

https://youtu.be/sV7EqaMk8k8

Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2020  

We are delighted that the following Regeneration department projects have been shortlisted for the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2020.

• Putting a heart back into Edgeworthstown in Supporting Sustainable Communities
• Royal Canal Greenway - Longford Section in Supporting Tourism
• County Longford Regeneration Initiative in Sustainable Environment
• Albert Reynolds Peace Park Accessibility and Urban Connectivity initiatives in Enhancing the Urban Environment

The Excellence in Local Government Awards 2020 (ELG Awards), sponsored by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government which took place on 26 November 2020, are held to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work being carried out by local authorities all over Ireland.

Longford Connected Public Realm Enhancement Project

RPS Consulting Engineers Limited has been appointed by Longford County Council as the Project Managers and Designers for the Longford Connected Public Realm Enhancement Project. The Longford Connected €4 million approx. project  focusses on enhancements to the public realm at Market Square and The Shopping Centre as these form focal points within Longford Town. The Project aims to enhance the pedestrian experience with new and improved surface treatments, more efficient lighting and signage, new street furniture and soft landscape installations. Consultations are currently taking place with RPS Consulting Engineers Limited seeking the public’s view on the final designs of the scheme prior to commencing the engineering design and progressing towards a product fit for construction. 

Towns and Villages Scheme 2020

On 12 October 2020 the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced details of the projects that have been approved for funding under the third round of the enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2020 that supports towns and villages to respond and adapt to COVID-19. This funding will enable towns and villages to implement immediate measures that will encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise, while adhering to public health guidelines. The funding is facilitated through the Government’s July Stimulus package. This funding includes 38 large towns with populations in excess of 10,000 which have not previously been funded through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and we are delighted that Longford town has been awarded €40,000 as part of this funding. 

Longford County Council Regeneration department are happy to announce that a total of €116,790 has been awarded to the county under round three of the Scheme for the following towns and villages. This follows on from €104,040 awarded on 3 August 2020 under round one and €86,843 awarded on 11 September 2020 under round two of the Towns & Villages Scheme 2020.

Funding announcement for an Enterprise Hub in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford

On 25 September 2020 Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Robert Troy TD announced funding for an Enterprise Hub to be located in the centre of Edgeworthstown in County Longford under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered through Enterprise Ireland.

Minister Robert Troy TD said:
"I welcome the announcement of the approval of funding today. With this funding, the Old Ulster Bank building will be redeveloped into an enterprise hub that will facilitate up to 38 people with short- and long-term working spaces. This funding is extremely important to fostering a strong and vibrant community in Edgeworthstown. One of the key messages of this government is to lead on the creation and maintenance of high quality and sustainable full employment across all regions of the country by championing enterprise and innovation. This will have significant impact for the county of Longford, as this centre will become a key economic driver, supporting regeneration and economic growth in Longford. While there are challenges ahead, with challenge comes opportunity. As Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I am determined to support projects such as this to ensure our regional communities get every opportunity to develop and grow."

The Longford Hub will be based in an old bank, on the main street in Edgeworthstown, formerly the Ulster Bank building.
A key objective of the hub in Longford is to promote the successful development of emerging businesses that will graduate from the Hub to move out into the wider community contributing to the overall vitality, diversity, and growth of the Longford economy.
The Hub in Edgeworthstown will create a vibrant space which is attractive to people looking to develop business ideas. It will provide concentrated supports to assist enterprises to get established. It will increase the number and quality of job opportunities available for people, reducing the need to move out of the Longford region for career purposes. This hub will offer people and enterprises different types of desk, office and meeting room spaces, utilising the latest technologies and the fastest broadband available in the marketplace. The Edgeworthstown hub will assist with the towns and county’s revival, enterprise and economic development.

Just Transition Fund

Applications were put forward with regard to climate action, economic and community development, tourism, employment and natural amenity for projects to progress the Just Transition process in Lanesborough, County Longford. Funding for projects €100,000 and under were announced in September 2020, with Longford County Council Regeneration team securing funding for the preparation of a large-scale feasibility study for Lanesboro Renewable Energy Transition - Anaerobic Digestion facility and potential associated enterprise development. It is expected that the feasibility study will outline the benefits and impacts of the facility on the horticultural, agricultural, industrial and transportation sectors in the region and outline a programme of stakeholder involvement to ensure the transition to a socially and environmentally sustainable, low carbon economy.

Mid Shannon Wilderness Park

Clandillon Civil Consulting Limited  have been appointed to carry out detailed design and environmental assessments for the development of a greenway network throughout the Mid Shannon Wilderness Park, linking it with existing routes in the south of the County and national and regional networks, including a bridge crossing at Kilnacarrow. The Mid Shannon Wilderness Park in Longford will be developed in partnership between the various owners including Bord na Móna, local communities and Longford County Council.

Contracts Signed for 'The Yard Hub’, Abbeyshrule

On 2 July 2020 contracts were signed for the appointment of architects de Blacam and Meagher to ‘The Yard Hub’ project in Abbeyshrule. The Yard Hub project involves the redevelopment of a derelict site in Abbeyshrule village to create space for economic and enterprise development. This facility will provide local people currently facing long commutes the opportunity to work close to home, and it will also bring economic activity to the village centre. The Regeneration department has worked closely with our elected members, the local community group and Waterways Ireland in development of this project. The Yard Hub will form part of the network of hubs  in Co. Longford which contributes to the achievement of a low carbon economy and enhances the work/life balance of our citizens.

Contracts Signed at Granard Motte, Granard

In 2019 Longford County Council Regeneration department were successful in securing funding of €2.8 million under RRDF for creation of a Heritage Park at the base of Granard Motte. As part of the development, Failte Ireland granted €640k towards the “Norman Heritage Park”. Contracts for this Interpretative Centre were signed with DMW Creative Limited on 23rd July 2020. Agreement on the purchase of the 12th century Motte by Longford County Council was also finalised during the month.  This development forms a vital part of the Hidden Heartlands attractions, greatly enhancing tourism in the area and will contribute to the economic and social regeneration of Granard town and surrounding areas for many years to come.

Official Opening

The Newcastle Woods Greenway at Newcastle Woods, Ballymahon, Co. Longford was officially opened on 20 July 2020 by Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Ross. This Greenway links Newcastle Woods with the Royal Canal Greenway and will allow users travel from Dublin along the Greenway and into Center Parcs. This will increase the attractiveness of Longford and the wider Hidden Heartlands as a destination of choice for holiday makers.

Granard Motte, Granard