Carrick-on-Shannon approved to develop a Town Centre First Plan

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell TD have today published the first ever Town Centre First plans for 26 towns across every county.

In Co Leitrim, Carrick-on-Shannon has been selected under the scheme which has been welcomed by local Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan.

“I am pleased to see Carrick-on-Shannon as part of the next 26 successful towns across the country who will receive support with funding of €30,000 each to complete a comprehensive town plan to help develop their town centres,” declared Deputy Feighan.

“I am delighted to see that appointment of Town Regeneration Officers who have been appointed in every Local Authority to drive implementation of the new plans with the support of Government funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Town Centre First Heritage Revival (THRIVE) Scheme and the Historic Towns Initiative, these are all vital projects and schemes to assist so many rural towns across Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon and Donegal,” concluded Deputy Feighan.

Town Centre First supports the objectives of the national rural development policy, Our Rural Future, in revitalising rural towns and engages communities through “Town Teams”.

Every town is different, and so local visions take account of these unique challenges, needs and opportunities.

The Plans which were developed in consultation with local communities represent the vision of local people for their area and contain proposals for a diverse range of projects such as redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, boosting SME and tourism potential, and protecting historical landmarks.