THE provision of two new multi-million euro business, enterprise and innovation centres in the heart of Letterkenny moved a step closer this week.
Donegal County Council in partnership with the Donegal 2040 Strategic Development Designated Activity Company proposes to carry out the mixed use development as Phase 1 of the ‘Letterkenny 2040 Strategic Urban Regeneration Site’ at Pearse Road and Ramelton Road.
The regeneration of the 1.1 hectare site, which includes the old ESB building, sets out plans for mixed use development, future town centre housing and improved connectivity linking the Pearse Road with the Port Road.
The project, under a Donegal County Council Part 8 development process, is expected to be given the green light when it come before councillors at a special meeting of the Council this morning.
The proposed development will include the demolition of the former ESB retail and office premises and existing sheds to the rear of the site.
It will see the construction of a new 7 storey 1,625sq.m Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Alpha) building and a new 8 storey 4,000sq.m Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Beta) building with flexible accommodation solutions including office and R&D facilities.
The project will include a central civic space; pedestrian, cycle, accessibility and mobility infrastructure and landscaping, as well as creating a space which it is hoped will become a focal point of Letterkenny as a leisure and meeting place.
The stated aim of the proposed project is the ‘reduction in vacancy and obsolete buildings’ while bringing under-utilised core town centre lands into productive use.
Planners say that it will create a vibrant, highly accessible, mixed use development of appropriate town centre density and high-quality architecture.
“As an integral component of the mixed-use nature of the site, the site layout concept priorities good quality public realm and movement routes that will encourage walking, cycling and use throughout the day, evening and week.
“The concept aims to deliver a ‘living’ place as a productive, efficient and integrated part of the surrounding urban form of Letterkenny town centre, breathing life into otherwise under-utilized brownfield and vacant town centre lands.
“The site layout envisages the proposed phase 1 development as a major and leading urban regeneration project establishing a benchmark for high quality interventions to revitalise and renew Letterkenny town centre, uplifting the town centre working population that will as a result add to the economic and social vitality of the area and stimulate wider regeneration.”
The proposed development is funded by the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), the Border Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF) and match funding from Donegal County Council together with prospective support from a range of other sources which currently remains in planning.
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