RONAN FAGAN
The secretary of a recently formed lobby group aimed at the future development of Connaught Street and the west side of Athlone has described an initial meeting with the local authority as “positive”.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser on Tuesday, Connaught Street and Environs Regeneration Group secretary, Mary Dooley, spoke of her aspirations for the area, noting that the meeting with the elected representatives and executive of Athlone-Moate Municipal District gave cause for future optimism.
“The group, which now entails close to 40 members, was formed to address the dilapidation and fall off in trade on Connaught Street and the west side of our town which remains a continuing concern.
“Having spoken with Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, he recommended that we form such a group which would enable us to express our views uniformly for Connaught Street and its immediate environs.
“The feedback we have received to date from traders and residents within the locality has been wholly positive and there is a firm realisation that we must see a regeneration of the area,” Ms Dooley stated.
Noting her desire to see a mixed development of residential and commercial units on the street, Ms Dooley stressed that it was important to make the local authority aware that traders are “alive and kicking” on the west side of Athlone.
“We are not expecting miracles, but are hoping for a development plan which will duly regenerate Connaught Street and the immediate vicinity. As a lobby group we want to work with the council in this regard and we look forward to our next meeting in September when we hope that regeneration plans for Connaught Street and the west side of Athlone are expected to be revealed,” Ms Dooley concluded.
Echoing similar sentiments, Cllr O’Rourke, who facilitated the meeting between all parties in the civic centre, admitted that progress had been slower than hoped for pertaining to the regeneration of Connaught Street and its environs.
“A regeneration process involves numerous parties and the council don’t have a ‘silver bullet’ solution, that notion is just not sensible or workable. Regeneration can only work if each stakeholder plays their part.
“There are numerous vibrant businesses and responsible property owners on Connaught Street but there are also too many unkempt buildings, owned by people who should know better. This is despite the fact that Westmeath County Council’s Shopfront Enhancement Scheme is available to grant aid the refurbishment of business premises. Unfortunately, only four premises in five years have applied for the scheme on Connaught Street.
“I suggested recently that the stakeholders should unite and form a committee and commence the process of engagement with the council. I am delighted that a strong committee has now emerged and the initial meeting with the council was very productive.
“I informed the meeting that we must enhance what we have on the west side and those who work and live here need to engage in the regeneration process, their voices need to be heard,” Cllr O’Rourke asserted.
Director of Services, Barry Kehoe, informed those present that there was a huge amount of investment currently underway and planned for the west side of Athlone, referencing in particular, the flood defences, main drainage scheme, Baylough housing scheme, the Castle public realm improvements and a number of other projects.
Acknowledging such planned developments, Cllr O’Rourke stated that he was pleased that the local authority had advanced plans to commence work on three prominent idle properties on Connaught Street, at numbers 36, 53 and 59.
“The redevelopment of these properties will result in seven new residential units on the street. Apart from the fact that these seven homes are badly needed, it is also very important to commence the regeneration of Connaught Street.
“This work is great news for the west side and coupled with the recent planning approval for the ‘pink elephant’ site encompassing 21 apartment units, it all adds up to a major investment in the street.
“It is now time to look forward and welcome this great news of seven new homes on the street. I will ensure that we maintain momentum on the west side of our town and to that end, I am continuing to work with the project principal and Lidl to see if we can bring such badly needed investment to the Baylough area.
“I live and work in this part of town, I truly believe it has vast potential and these particular developments can be the launch pad for greater ongoing investment and improvement,” Cllr O’Rourke concluded.
