€476,000
was allocated to Louth County Council in respect of the Westgate Vision Project under Call 1 of the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). This project will provide technical assistance including project management, concept development, feasibility and detailed design and planning associated with “Westgate Vision”.
While my Department works closely with the successful applicants in respect of project funding, responsibility for the advancement of URDF supported projects through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the Sponsoring Agency, in this case Louth County Council.
In this regard it should be noted that all URDF supported projects must be carefully developed and managed by the Sponsoring Agency in accordance with the normal conditions and arrangements that apply to public sector managed projects including, exercising appropriate cost control and delivering projects as approved, and in full compliance with the Public Spending Code.
With regard to the present position, Louth County Council has advised my Department that as an Environmental Impact Assessment is required the Council will be applying to An Bord Pleanála for planning permission for the Westgate Vision Project. Environmental reports which are required for this process are being prepared in parallel with the final design for submission to An Bord Pleanála in Q3 2022.
