There was widespread disappointment this week as the news came to light that the much anticipated ‘Central’ development planned for Mullingar will not go ahead.
Following detailed discussions between Westmeath County Council and Rickaton (Construction ) Ltd, the parties announced earlier this week that, due to economic pressures, the development will not proceed as permitted.
“The dissolution of the partnership is to be agreed amicably by both parties, who will continue to act in good faith to achieve with all other stakeholders the integrated redevelopment of the Blackhall area, given the investment in the overall development objective to date,” read a joint statement from the parties this week.
“Both the Council and Rickaton remain committed to the regeneration of the lands owned by each other in the Blackhall area. The principal planning objective remains the delivery of an integrated and sustainable redevelopment of the Blackhall area as a major retail precinct for the town.”
Commenting on the announcement, Eugene Moore of Rickaton said the reasons for the decision were regrettable but straightforward.
“The initial delays in securing a grant of planning permission brought the delivery programme for Central into the middle of the current economic crisis, which means the project in its original form is currently unviable,” he said.
Whilst he expressed disappointment with the decision that had been reached, he thanked the council members and executive, the Mullingar and Midlands Gateway Chambers, and the community of Mullingar for their wholehearted support since the plans for Central were first announced in 2005.
He also confirmed Rickatons’ continued commitment to the project, and to the town of Mullingar and the Midlands Gateway, and said he hoped the alternative options currently being examined to develop a similar concept, albeit on a phased basis, would also receive the support of all stakeholders when required.
Council chairman Cllr Fintan Cooney, while likewise disappointed at the news, agreed the move is “practical and realistic at this time”. He added that “every possible option for the redevelopment of the Blackhall lands should be fully explored with a view to being in a position to maximise opportunities that will inevitably arise in the future”.
