Derelict properties in Laois towns could be turned into parking spaces

Derelict properties can be turned into parking spaces and public realm spaces in Laois towns, and one town could soon have the cash to do it.

Mountrath has been chosen by Laois County Council as the county's town to seek grant money under the Rural Regeneration Development. 

They confirm that the grant money can be used to buy derelict properties and convert them to public use including parking spaces in the town centre, often choc a bloc with cars doing business in the town.

Read how a local Mountrath person has turned a derelict town centre shop into a thriving business.

Cllr James Kelly had asked the question, at the January council meeting.

"Can the funding be used on land purchase? If you have a derelict site in the centre of town to be purchased, to create a public realm or more parking spaces?" he asked.

Director of Services Donal Brennan confirmed that this can be done.

"Some department schemes allow derelict sites to be purchased," he said.

Mountrath town centre is undergoing a big renovation of its streets, hit hard by vacancy and dereliction in past decades.

The Mountrath Town Team, a mix of local business and community representatives, already has won a grant of €250,000 to spend on regenerating the town centre this year, including new public realm spaces. Laois County Council has another €50,000 to spend on redesigning the square.

There will be new railings and resurfacing of the car park used for the monthly farmers’ market. Landscaping work is planned at Patrick Street and the overhead wires in the town centre will be placed underground, with new ornate lighting coming,  together with improvements along the Whitehorse River walk.  

The council is sending off their Rural Regeneration Development grant application for Mountrath in mid March.