€7 million redesign of Laois town takes ‘significant step forward’

The €7 million project to revitalise Mountrath has taken a leap forward as a design team has been appointed for the development.

The Mountrath Public Realm Improvement Scheme has long been in the works, with funding being sought in the past number of years from the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.

The project aims to create an enhanced environment for people living, working and visiting the town through housing and public realm improvements, with the overall hopes of encouraging and stimulating economic growth.

The key objective of the scheme is to reorient the town from private vehicle domination and towards pedestrian priority and active travel connectivity. This will be done through the improvement of public spaces and footpaths.

Laois County Council also intends to examine how derelict and vacant lands between Main Street and the Whitehorse River could be developed, including for a possible river link or green way.

The Council appointed the design team for the project on Monday, November 9.

Urban Agency Architects Ltd were awarded the €300,000 contract for the Mountrath Town Centre Public Realm Improvement Scheme.

The Council explained that the scheme will begin in three key stages. Firstly, the Town Spatial Strategy will be developed. This will be the vision for Mountrath which will be developed through consultation with stakeholders.

Then the design proposals for the town centre will be prepared for consideration by the Council. Following this, a Part 8 planning proposal will be prepared for public consultation.

The stages outlined in this contract will be funded by Laois County Council and the Council intends to apply for future grant funding to progress subsequent construction project stages.

Commenting on the appointment of the design team, Director of Services at Laois County Council, Angela McEvoy, said: “Laois County Council is committed to implementing the Mountrath Public Realm Improvement Scheme.

“It aims to transform and lead the regeneration of Mountrath Town Centre. This is the first step of a wider project which once implemented will drive the local economy and foster tourism.”

The Director of Services explained that the population of the town grew by 16.7% between 2016 and 2022.

“With its central location and good connectivity, the town has an important role to play in supporting the objectives set out in the National Planning Framework, County Development Plan and Mountrath Settlement Plan. This project also aligns with the Government’s Town Centre First Policy and Our Rural Future Strategy which demonstrates Laois County Council’s strategic focus on rural regeneration.”

She added: “Like many towns in Ireland, Mountrath is facing challenges such as vacancy and dereliction within the town centre. An improved public realm will enable and support compact urban growth in Mountrath, encouraging and enabling town centre living and redevelopment, which in turn is economically viable, deepens the sense of community and delivers enjoyable places for people where they want to live work and socialise.”

Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, welcomed the step forward on the big project.

“This scheme is a very welcome development as it is a significant step forward for the Mountrath community,” Cllr Fitzgerald said.

“Continued investment in and enhancement of our towns across Laois is vital and I look forward to seeing this project progress. Congratulations to the Mountrath Town Team and the Laois County Council Regeneration Section in advancing this important initiative.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme