regeneration Archives - Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer https://forecourtretailer.com/tag/regeneration/ Ireland's Only Forecourt & Convenience Retailer Fri, 27 May 2022 10:47:02 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://forecourtretailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-IFCR-Site-Icon-32x32.png regeneration Archives - Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer https://forecourtretailer.com/tag/regeneration/ 32 32 94949456 €30m fund launched to renovate derelict cinemas, banks and convents https://forecourtretailer.com/e30m-fund-launched-to-renovate-derelict-cinemas-banks-and-convents/ Fri, 27 May 2022 10:47:02 +0000 https://forecourtretailer.com/?p=20439 Local authorities are to be given up to €400,000 each to renovate old convents, banks, post offices and cinemas under a new government scheme aimed

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Local authorities are to be given up to €400,000 each to renovate old convents, banks, post offices and cinemas under a new government scheme aimed at addressing the scourge of derelict buildings in rural towns and villages.

Rural councils are also being told to canvass the opinions of local community groups and activists on what buildings they would like to see renovated under the new €30m scheme.

The move will mean people will be able to put forward proposals for refurbishing derelict buildings in their communities which could then be renovated to become spaces for local activity.

The scheme will focus on buildings which have become eyesores in rural towns and villages and it is hoped the funding can be used to bring life into old buildings which were once cornerstones of the community.

The funding can be used to purchase and renovate old buildings which can become community centres or digital hubs for people working from home to avoid the daily commute to Dublin or other cities.

The funding can also be used to develop sites into parks, green spaces and recreational amenities.

And the State support will allow councils develop derelict sites and buildings into outdoor dining spaces or plazas in town centres.

However, councils are being encouraged by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys to engage with local community groups, town teams and local chambers to identify the most suitable properties to be targeted with the funding.

The move will ensure there will be significant buy-in locally and communities will feel they are involved in the process of rejuvenating their local town or village.

Every local authority outside Dublin will be able to apply for the funding which can be used to buy and refurbish landmark buildings in rural communities which have lain derelict for a number of years.

Councils will be able to draw down a maximum of €400,000 which can be used to buy and renovate one building or split the money in half between two buildings.

The funding is being made available under the Town and Village Renewal Programme and aims to support the continued regeneration of our rural towns and villages.

The scheme typically funds communities with a population of up to 10,000 people.

Larger rural towns with a population of up to 15,000 people may be eligible if an application for funding is particularly strong and the project will have a significant impact on the area.

Image – Plans for the former Bessbrook tram station

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]]> 20439 New Town Centre First policy aims to revive Ireland’s towns https://forecourtretailer.com/new-town-centre-first-policy-aims-to-revive-irelands-towns/ Wed, 09 Feb 2022 11:07:48 +0000 https://forecourtretailer.com/?p=19373 Derelict buildings, including shops and pubs, are to be converted into new homes as part of a new policy that will funnel investment into Irish

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Derelict buildings, including shops and pubs, are to be converted into new homes as part of a new policy that will funnel investment into Irish towns.

The new policy outlines 33 measures designed to make towns attractive places in which to live, work, visit and run a business.

It aims to aid job creation, refurbish vacant buildings to increase housing supply in towns, develop bespoke transport plans, retrofit houses to be more climate-friendly, and conserve heritage sites.

Participating towns will have town regeneration officers which will lead engagement with town stakeholders to help facilitate the Town Centre First process.

Funding for Town Centre First projects will come from existing schemes such as the rural regeneration and development fund (RRDF), urban regeneration and development fund (URDF), Housing for All’s forthcoming Croí Cónaithe Fund, and the town and village renewal scheme.

Darragh O’Brien, the housing minster; Peter Burke, the planning and local government minister and Malcom Noonan, the heritage and electoral reform minister,all support the new policy, but Independent TD Sean Canney said that as the funding streams are already in existence, there is nothing new in the policy.

The urban and rural regeneration funds support urban regeneration in towns with a population of over 10,000 and have approved €410m in funding for projects in towns which will be completed over the next few years.

A funding call for new projects to local authorities will be made in the summer, which will be specifically aimed at Town Centre First Implementation as one of its key objectives.

During the pandemic, more significance was put on local areas and remote working.

“As a result of travel restrictions and home working, many people have rediscovered the value and convenience of shopping locally, and the importance of local towns and villages for social and cultural engagement,” said the Town Centre First Report.

“Remote working will also allow many workers to spend less time commuting and more time living in their own communities,” it said.

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