Longford's regeneration plans at crossroads
Longford-Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty has renewed his appeal for local authority chiefs to seek out private investment to ensure Longford’s regeneration drive is not derailed by soaring inflation and spiralling construction costs.
The government TD urged council bosses to pursue every possible financial avenue open to them in order to safeguard the county town’s protracted socio-economic revitalisation.
Mr Flaherty made a similar appeal a little over 12 months ago after two prospective proposals from private developers were rejected during an 'Expressions of Interest' process last year.
The father of three issued the ultimatum this week days after it emerged the county town’s former Providers building, one of the mooted cornerstones of those regeneration plans, was to go under the hammer.
“It's obviously disappointing the building is for sale,” he said.
“It was always going to be difficult given the planning restrictions that would be on the building.
“I do believe any condition of sale has to ensure a community and public dividend and it's not inconceivable as the onus is on any possible purchaser to provide a working hub,” he said.
Mr Flaherty's comments come amid heightening fears the €14m ring fenced to undertake a large scale overhaul of Longford town’s so-called Camlin Quarter is unlikely to meet the cost of that project due to soaring building costs and rapidly increasing inflation.