10 Nov Over €10million for 2 Landmark Rural Regeneration Projects in Mayo
Focus on combatting vacancy & dereliction by regenerating iconic two Mayo town centre buildings
Mayo Fine Gael TD, Alan Dillon has this morning welcomed funding of over €10m for two Mayo landmark rural regeneration projects.
The projects are being funded as part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s ambitious 5 Year Policy for Rural Development.
The announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced funding of €115 million for 23 landmark rural regeneration projects across the country.
Deputy Dillon said “I am delighted to learn following on from several consultations with my colleague minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD,
that Ballinrobe and Newport have received substantial funding under the RRDF project proposals, one of the largest allocations across the country.
- Ballinrobe Community Arts and Amenity Centre – €4.59m
This is a grassroots, community led project which will regenerate the former Valkenburg complex (built in 1820) in the town centre to provide a multi-purpose community facility, cultural and performance space. This will reinstate a key piece of community and cultural infrastructure back into use for the benefit of society and community in the heart of the town.
- Newport Regeneration €5.6m
A number of elements will combine to improve and enhance the physical appearance, functioning and amenity value of the town centre. Public realm works will enhance the streetscape in the town centre including dark skies friendly lighting. The demolition of derelict buildings will allow the construction of an Enterprise and Tourism Hub, providing potential for sustainable economic activity and job creation.
Announcing the successful projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to announce a record €115 million for the delivery of 23 landmark rural regeneration projects across the country. These projects will see long vacant, disused and derelict buildings in our rural towns given a new lease of life and purpose for the 21st century.
“We are all familiar with historic old buildings in our local towns which have lay vacant for far too long. In many cases, these are old courthouses or churches of real historical significance and heritage value. These are iconic buildings in our town centres and I don’t want to see them lying idle, falling into disrepair or becoming dilapidated eyesores.
The projects announced today are across two phases – the projects in Phase 1 can be commenced immediately. The projects in Phase 2 will be delivered based on a timeframe to be agreed with the Department of Rural & Community Development. This timeframe will be linked to the level of progress achieved on the Phase 1 projects located in the county concerned and on existing projects already funded by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in the relevant county.
Deputy Dillon concluded “I believe that it is vital that we continue to build resilience in rural communities and make our towns and villages vibrant places for families to live. It is also vital that we continue to strengthen the rural economy and support sustainable development. The projects that this fund supports are targeting areas where they can have the greatest economic and social impact.