Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 May 2023
107. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the long-awaited and much-delayed Westgate vision plan for Drogheda; the expected key project timeline; the expected cost of the initial proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21997/23]
View answerIn line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects, enabling more compact and sustainable development within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.
To this end, the URDF has already provisionally allocated in excess of €1.6 billion under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018. Providing assistance to 132 proposals, comprising of almost 400 subprojects. URDF projects are now active in every local authority area in the country.
In 2021, following the second call for proposals under the URDF, I announced a provisional allocation of €7,487,771 in URDF support for Louth County Council's successful project – St. Nicholas Quarter and Backlands Regeneration project.
This followed Louth County Council's two successful applications under the URDF’s first call for proposals in 2018 - Long Walk Quarter, Dundalk (€533,000) and Westgate Vision, Drogheda (€608,052)
In reference to the Westgate Vision Project in Drogheda, URDF support is for technical assistance, including project management, concept development, feasibility, detailed design and planning, to deliver an urban design vision for the Narrow West Street and its environs. As per the most recent update from Louth County Council, these works have a current estimated cost of €810,735, with an estimated completion date of Q2 2023.
On 30 January 2023, I announced details regarding a third round of funding under the URDF. Supporting key objectives of Housing for All, Town Centre First, and the Vacant Homes Action Plan, this round of URDF support has been specifically designed to address long term vacancy and dereliction across URDF eligible cities and towns.
This will be achieved through the provision of a €150m fund for local authorities to acquire vacant or derelict properties (residential and/or commercial) and to carry out any associated works needed to de-risk or improve the site to make it more attractive for re-use or sale. The fund would then be replenished from the proceeds received from the end use/user thereby, allowing the local authority to put in place a rolling programme of acquisitions in order to tackle long term vacancy and dereliction without recourse to borrowing and the associated financial risk.
My Department is currently in consultation with local authorities to determine these allocations, along with the final eligibility criteria and parameters for projects. I expect to be in a position to notify local authorities of their financial allocation and the final eligibility criteria and reporting requirements before the end of Q2, 2023.
Once the above work is completed, preparations will begin for the launch of a fourth round of URDF funding support later in 2023, which will see a return to the wider scope of the URDF, reflecting the complex investment proposals required to transform key areas of our cities and towns. The fourth round of funding will provide an opportunity for a number of ‘pipeline’ projects which have or will emerge from master planning exercises carried out under Call 1 or Call 2, such as those emerging from the work developing the Westgate Vision, to be considered for funding. It will also support a number of key settlements and driver towns, such as Drogheda, that have not yet received the level of funding required to support the growth proposed for them in the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.
Finally, it should be noted that while my Department works closely and communicates regularly with Louth County Council in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of their URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for Louth County Council. Accordingly, detailed queries regarding the projects should be directed to the Council.
