Westmeath council to invite Ballymore Group for Athlone city plan presentation

Westmeath County Council is to consider inviting developer Sean Mulryan and representatives of the Ballymore property group to make a presentation to members on its ambitious proposals to transform Athlone into a modern, sustainable city with between 50,000 and 100,000 people by 2040.

It comes after it emerged that Ballymore Properties recently met with the chief executives of both Westmeath and Roscommon County Councils, Barry Kehoe and Shane Tiernan.

The issue of the proposed masterplan for Athlone was discussed at a recent meeting of the Corporate Policy Group of Westmeath County Council, a high-level committee which co-ordinates and links the work of the various council committes and acts as a forum where policy decisions affecting the entire council can be agreed for recommendation to the full council.

The matter was raised at the CPG meeting by Cllr Frankie Keena, who had previously tabled a motion at the Athlone Moate Municipal District on the matter.

The minutes of the CPG meeting noted that, while Cllr Keena welcomed Athlone being identified for the development, he was of the view that it was "very aspirational" and that the targets set out were ambitious.

The minutes also noted the view of Cllr Andrew Duncan, who described the concept as unrealistic, and was also "concerned that any such investment in infrastructure in Athlone would leave Mullingar behind".

Chief Executive Barry Kehoe said there was merit in inviting the Ballymore Group to make a presentation to members of the council. The minutes also noted that Mr Kehoe advised that the council had "no plans" to incorporate Ballymore's sustainable city proposal into the Athlone Urban Area Plan, which, he said, would be drafted in the usual way.

The Athlone Joint Urban Area Plan is a document being prepared by both the Westmeath and Roscommon councils to guide the future development strategy for Athlone.

Meanwhile, Sean Mulryan has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London, one of the British capital’s oldest and most prestigious honours.

The award recognises Mr Mulryan's transformative contribution to London’s urban landscape over the past four decades, particularly through large-scale regeneration projects that blend architecture, culture, and community. Ballymore’s projects have shaped the city, creating vibrant neighbourhoods and spaces that bring people together.

Mr Mulryan said: "I am truly humbled to receive the Freedom of the City of London. It’s a privilege to have played a role in shaping this remarkable city over the past 40 years, and I share this recognition with all of the talented colleagues and partners who help bring our visions to life."

The Freedom of the City of London is an ancient tradition dating back to the 13th century. Today, it is granted to individuals in recognition of their notable contributions to public life and the city itself.

Over 40 years, Sean Mulryan’s leadership has guided Ballymore from its origins as a family business to becoming an international developer delivering more than 20,000 homes in the UK and 15,000 in Ireland, alongside over 330,000 sq m of commercial space in the past decade alone.