Green light for initial stage of Northgate Street regeneration

Plans for an ambitious regeneration project on Athlone's Northgate Street which will see the derelict former RTC campus building being transformed into a digital hub and remote working centre passed the first hurdle at this week's meeting of Westmeath County Council.

Members approved a Part 8 planning process, by which the local authority consults with the public on its own projects, to enable site clearance and enabling works to proceed on the 0.26hectare site, which is the first stage on the road to the creation of an educational centre of excellence on the key town-centre site.

Council Chief Executive Barry Kehoe described the project as being “very important” for the future development of Athlone and said the site clearance works proposed under the Part 8 process would enable the council to “draw down” Just Transition funding which has already been allocated.

He pointed out that the overall cost of developing the site would likely be in the order of €15m plus, and admitted that the council is “constantly trying to source additional funding” for the project. The development is to be carried out by TUS in partnership with the Westmeath local authority. “We have not got the green light on funding the entire project,” said Mr. Kehoe “but the next stage of the process - after site clearance and enabling works have been completed - is to bring forward design proposals.”

The council issued a comprehensive 29-page Planning Report to members outlining the scope of works involved. The report also provides a synopsis of the six public submissions received during the statutory consultation process and a response from the council's Chief Executive to each of the submissions received.

The Chief Executive said the elements of the site which are proposed for demolition are all “non-protected structures” and many of them are “in very poor condition”. He also told members that there would be “very little excavation” as part of the enabling works and that any historical artefacts found on the site will be recorded.

The move to begin site clearance works on the former RTC campus building was widely welcomed by the Athlone members on Westmeath County Council, with Cllr Paul Hogan saying the site had lain derelict for “over 20 years” during which time it had become the location for “significant drug dealing, drug taking” and every other form of anti-social behaviour.” He also pointed out that next year marks 175 years since the Irish Famine, and given the Workhouse element of the building, he urged the council to incorporate some famine memorial into the design element of project.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke described the Northgate St building as “a landmark site in the heart of Athlone” which has been “crying out” for development over many years. “So let's get signs up on the site as soon as possible outlining our plans because most people haven't a clue what we are planning.”

Cllr Frankie Keena also agreed with Aengus O'Rourke in relation to boundary fencing outlining plans for the site, while Cllr John Dolan said he would be anxious to see the many historical elements of the Northgate St site being “fully protected”.

While no timeline was given for the site clearance works, Barry Kehoe said the council would work on the design of hoarding “between now and Quarter 2 of next year.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme