Council provide details of the full list of projects in the municipal district for which it intends to apply for funding for from the next round of Urban District Regeneration Fund

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My second question at Septembers MD meeting; “Can the council provide details of the full list of projects in the municipal district for which it intends to apply for funding for from the next round of Urban District Regeneration Fund; to include details of the council’s preparedness for application for each project including but not limited to applications for the second bridge, the new library and the development of the cultural quarter?

Report Issued by: Ms M Hunt, Senior Executive Officer, Economic Community & Cultural Development: As Newbridge has a population in-excess of 10,000, it is the only town in the Kildare Newbridge MD eligible to apply for funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF)

In the first call for applications to the URDF in 2018, a Category B application for funding to develop proposals for a Cultural Quarter in Newbridge from concept through to shovel ready stage was successful. Plans in respect of the Cultural Quarter concept are being developed, with a view to commencing separate Part 8 Planning Approval processes for the following distinct elements of the concept;

  • Redevelopment of Newbridge Library.
  • Development of a landmark building on Market Square.
  • Development of mixed use buildings on lands bounding St Conleth’s Park/ Council carpark.
  • Creation of a civic plaza on lands to the rear of Newbridge Town Hall.
  • Public Realm Improvement works to Georges Street and to Main Street from the Town Hall to the bridge.

Before the Council can apply for Category A URDF funding for the development of the Cultural Quarter, all planning consents and detailed designs must be in place. Each element of the concept must be at shovel ready stage to be eligible for Category A funding in respect of the actual construction.

It is the council’s intention to submit an application for the provision of a second bridge over the Liffey in Newbridge when the next call for applications to the URDF is announced. The Transportation Department are currently preparing a Phase 0 Report for submission to the Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport in respect of this project.