No funds for one Offaly town under Just Transition because no one applied for it

Clara has received no funds under Strand 1 or Strand 2 of the Just Transition Fund. The simple reason for this is that no business or community group applied for same. This is one of the findings in the Draft Town First Plan.

The authors Urban Architects say that like all Midland areas, Clara has been negatively impacted by Bord Na Mona’s transition from peat based employment.

It stresses that a focus on how Clara can benefit from Just Transition is required and this will need interaction with Offaly Co Council and its plan for Clara under the Just Transition programme.

One example given is the development of the Green Energy Cluster and where Clara fits into this strategy.

The draft plan notes that as part of the transition, it is proposed that there would be a development of a National Pilot on Sustainability and a Rural Centre of Excellence in the Midlands Region, the authors of the report recommend locating both of these in Clara adding that they would provide ''a national focus on the town and would drive in employment and business into Clara.''

The architects suggest that a section of Clashawaun Jute Works could be repurposed for this development.

''Clara is the natural gateway / central location between Rhode/Edenderry to the North and Shannonbridge to the West. The refurbishment or repurposing of an unused factory ties in with the Just Transitions ambitions,'' the plan states.

Another suggestion under Just Transition, is the setting up of the 'Invest EU Advisory Hub'.

The authors note that Offaly Co Council has put itself forward to set up this Hub and Clara and the old Clashawaun Jute Works would be ideal, they believe.

Under the headings of Public Realm Solutions there are  sub headings.

• Public realm refers to all areas to which the public has access (such as roads, streets, lanes, parks, squares and bridges). This includes space between buildings, along with the spaces and any structures that enclose them.

• The public realm works will enhance the streets by resurfacing with natural stone materials, installation of new kerbing, raised tables at key points/junctions, replacement and/or upgrade of street lighting, replacement and/or upgrade of signage, signage restoration and creation of new public spaces;

• ''Beautification is a key aspect of public realm, and it can be an easy way to bring people together. The dictionary defines beautification as a process of making visual improvements in a town or city. This often involves planting trees, shrubbery, and other greenery. It may involve decorative or historic main street development. Towns and villages often undertake beautification projects to refurbish their town centres to boost tourism and other commerce.''

• The creation of a multi-use pedestrianised town centre serving as a ‘vehicle’ to revive local businesses and improve the shopping experience by increasing footfall;

• Ensuring that the vibrancy of the town centre is enhanced, through traditional shop-front preservation, appropriate signage and use of awnings, as River Street, Main Street and Church Street contain a wide variety of shop fronts;

• Re-designing & re-interpretation of the Public Open Space area adjacent to Charlestown Bridge;

• The concept & design could be adapted successfully to suit the site. The natural polished stone seating mimics the shape of Charlestown bridge’s arches & compliments the industrial heritage of the bridge and Charlestown mill grain store;

• It will also open-up the river to the public and

create another space of interest & attraction;