This article is from page 36 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
OFFICIALS in Kilrush are planning to extend the John Paul Estate Re- generation Programme following the success of the pilot project.
Officials from Kilrush Town Coun- cil are in critical talks with the De- partment of the Environment this week about expanding the project.
Kilrush Town Clerk Fiona Mooney said, “Our approach to the depart- ment is that we want to be even more ambitious than we were at pilot stage.”
“The department is in a process currently of meeting all housing au- thorities with a view to determining
resource needs for the coming three years. Kilrush Town Council has submitted and stressed the need for a further phase of the John Paul Estate project.
“Tt is likely that housing authorities will be notified of their department allocations by May of 2008,’ she Sr NLGe
“The pilot phase of this project is ahead of schedule and has been marked by positive relations and a high degree of cooperation and fa- cilitation by the local community. The redesign objectives of the pilot phase of increasing security and pri- vacy by the removal of back lanes and derelict open spaces have been
achieved and the quality and specu- lation achieved by the pilot phase is high,” said the clerk.
“Kilrush Town Council officials appreciate the support of the Kil- rush elected members and of the Clare Oireachtas members in terms of convincing the department of the need for the allocation of resources to advance and complete the project for John Paul.
“This support has been very im- portant thus far in what is a long term and strategic programme, and involving social and economic devel- opmental elements as well as physi- cal infrastructural improvements. In this regard, the ongoing support of
the council’s multi-agency partners is also acknowledged and appreci- ated,’ she said.
This pilot phase of the regeneration programme consists of work on 28 existing dwellings in Willow Green and Sycamore Drive.
At this month’s meeting of Kilrush Town Council Ms Mooney told the members that a show house demon- strating the works to date would soon be available for people to visit. The show house will be situated on Wil- low Green.
The town clerk also asked the councillors for their support as nego- tiations with the department began, which she received en mass.