Design Team appointed for Mountrath Public Realm Improvement Scheme
(back row): Rory McGuire, Landscape Architect, Urban Agency Architects Ltd, Andrew Archer, Director, Systra, Denise Rainey, Town Regeneration Officer Laois County Council, Ken Morley, Senior Executive Engineer Laois County Council, Angela McEvoy, Director of Services Laois County Council. (Front row): Robert McLoughlin, Managing Director, RMLA, Andrew Griffin, Co-founder, Urban Agency Architects Ltd, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Michael Rainey, Chief Executive Laois County Council, Cllr Ollie Clooney, Cathaoirleach of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District, Cllr James Kelly, Laois County Councillor -Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District.
LAOIS Co Council has signed the contract for Mountrath Town Centre Public Realm Improvement Scheme.
The objective of the contract, valued at €300,000 is to redesign the town centre in Mountrath with an improved public realm to meet the needs of the community.
Urban Agency Architects Ltd has een appointed as the main contractors for the scheme, which will consist of three different stages:
The Town Spatial Strategy – a vision for the town will be developed through consultation with stakeholders, building on Mountrath’s existing Sustainable Community Plan, Our Town, Our Future.
The Town Centre Design – design proposals for the town centre will be prepared for consideration by the council Part 8 Planning – a proposal will be prepared for public consultation.
Discussing the news, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, cathaoirleach, Laois Co Council, said: “This scheme is a very welcome development as it is a significant step forward for the Mountrath community. Continued investment in and enhancement of our towns across Laois is vital and I look forward to seeing this project progress. Congratulations to the Mountrath Town Team and the Laois Co Council regeneration section in advancing this important initiative.” The design will follow the following principles â the people’s town: a vibrant town centre and public realm that meets the needs of those who live and work in it and those who visit, including the provision of community civic space(s) in the town; urban design-smart design: a public realm based on urban design principles that are distinctive and authentic; a future for our heritage: a public realm that not only embraces its unique heritage but promotes this heritage as a tourism asset; the connected place: a town centre and public realm that is accessible and pedestrian friendly; sustainability: the assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts of any intervention is essential as a guiding principle.
Also highlighting the positive news, Angela McEvoy, director of services, Laois Co Council, described how the population of Mountrath had grown by 16.7 per cent between 2016 and 2022, compounding the need for development which will help regenerate the Mountrath town centre and contribute to the overall Laois tourism offering.
“Like many towns in Ireland, Mountrath is facing challenges such as vacancy and dereliction within the town centre. An improved public realm will enable and support compact urban growth in Mountrath, encouraging and enabling town centre living and redevelopment, which in turn is economically viable, deepens the sense of community and delivers enjoyable places for people where they want to live, work and socialise.” The stages outlined in this contract will be funded by Laois Co Council and the council intends to apply for appropriate future grant funding to progress subsequent construction project stages.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
