Three Cork towns to benefit from funding boost to support regeneration projects

THREE Cork towns are due to benefit from €30,000 in funding to help tackle challenges including vacancy and dereliction.

The funding, which has been allocated in €10,000 increments to Macroom, Bantry and Mitchelstown, comes from the Department of Rural and Community Development, under the Town Centre First Town Team Support Fund.

Funds will be used to further develop Town Teams in each location, which are supported by Cork County Council’s Town Regeneration Office.

Town Teams help communities access a wide range of departmental funding available under various schemes.

Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Frank O’ Flynn said: “A collaborative approach to bringing about solutions to support town regeneration is key to achieving sustainable communities in County Cork.

“This Town Centre First policy aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction, and breathe new life into our town centres through the development of regeneration projects.”

“I am looking forward to seeing the impact it has upon Bantry, Macroom and Mitchelstown,” he added.

The Town Centre First Policy is a joint strategy by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and aims to create town centres that function as vibrant locations for people to live, work and visit.

The latest funding announcement follows the publication of the Town Centre First Plan for Skibbereen, the pathfinder town under this scheme for Cork, as well as the announcement in March of this year of an allocation of €30,000 to develop a Town Centre First Regeneration Plan for Kanturk.

Chief executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’ Sullivan said: “Cork County Council recognises the economic importance of vibrant towns.

“We are actively progressing a range of regeneration measures across towns in the county, covering areas such as sustainable travel, property activation and public realm enhancements.”