Moate Town Team backs community office plan

The Moate Town Team, which was set up in 2023 to help drive local regeneration efforts, has come out in strong support of plans to establish a new community office on the site of the former Moate boxing club and fire station.

Late last year Westmeath County Council submitted plans for its community hub development at the long-vacant Main Street premises adjoining the town's library.

Under the Part 8 planning process used by local authorities for their own projects, the closing date for public submissions or observations on the planning bid is Tuesday next, February 10, at 4pm.

A submission from Moate Town Team, which was sent on behalf of the group by its PRO Shane Lynam last week, has lent its weight to the argument for the building's redevelopment.

The Town Team's submission pointed out that the former fire station building has been vacant for a prolonged period, and its refurbishment would "remove a visually tired and under-utilised structure" from the town centre, as well as bringing "new life, activity and surveillance to this important civic area".

The submission on behalf of Moate Town Team noted that the proposed development was within the Moate Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) but that it was supported by a full Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment.

"Rather than harming heritage, the project will improve the setting of protected structures by replacing dereliction with a well-maintained, active and managed building," said the group's submission.

The proposed internal layout of the new community facility would provide an open-plan office, tea station and sink, and a unisex accessible WC.

The project would "revitalise a dead frontage beside a protected civic building" and "provide a permanent home for community development activity," said Moate Town Team, adding: "It would demonstrate best practice in heritage-led regeneration".