Longford council hears ‘We can't be a one trick pony’ over apartments

Longford's commercial prosperity faces ruination if the growing trend of transforming empty commercial units into apartments becomes the norm.

According to Indepenent Cllr Gerry Warnock, Longford town's fiscal security is being compromised by a sudden proliferation in apartment style residential accommodation.

The local councillor sounded his concerns at a meeting of Longford County Council last week, saying his greatest concern was the open-ended planning laws that surrounded them.

“Longford town has had a pretty bad experience with apartment blocks in the town centre as these properties tend to be hives for antisocial problems due to the largely transient nature of apartment tenancies,” he said.

“They are extremely hard managed in terms of planning compliance, but TCF developments are exempt from the traditional scrutiny of the planning application process and that concerns me.”

Cllr Warnock's comments came towards the end of last Wednesday's monthly meeting during which he voiced fears over the long term sustainability of Longford's local economy.

“I worry that if this trend continues, we will create a primarily residential hub in our town centre rather than the thriving commercial and retail destination we all aspire to through our Regeneration Programme,” he said.

“Such a scenario would greatly inhibit commercial growth and perhaps deter the type of commercial investment we would hope to see in the town centre.”

Cllr Warnock's anxieties would appear well founded and supported by most recent CSO figures.

They show a continuing upward trend in apartment style building, something Cllr Warnock insisted was to the detriment of provincial towns like Longford.

And while he accepted Longford was in need additional accommodation options, Cllr Warnock argued that residential development should be strategic in nature.

“We cannot just be a one trick pony,” he said.

“We have a local, economic and social duty to the people of Longford town.”

“We all know how bad national policy left us with an unfinished estate and vacancy nightmare after the economic downturn that we’re still recovering from.

“We should be confident enough to know exactly what we need locally and proceed accordingly with the welfare of Longford people in mind.”