Publication
Town Centre First Policy
From Department of Rural and Community Development; Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
The Town Centre First policy aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.
Irish towns are facing significant challenges and opportunities that require a coordinated and comprehensive response. This Town Centre First policy will facilitate that response by towns of all sizes across the country so that their centres can function as the sustainable and vibrant heart of the communities they serve, in ways that are adaptable and appropriate to 21st century needs.
The Town Centre Living pilot was announced in October 2018. The aim of the initiative was to:
- explore how to encourage increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages
- address the issue of vacant properties
The pilot complements the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
6 towns were identified to pilot the approach and were provided with funding of up to €100,000 each. The towns are:
- Ballinrobe, Co Mayo
- Banagher, Co Offaly
- Boyle, Co Roscommon
- Callan, Co Kilkenny
- Cappoquin, Co Waterford
- Castleblayney, Co Monaghan
The independent report on the pilot Town Centre Living Initiative was prepared by Space Engagers for the Department of Rural and Community Development. Space Engagers is a social enterprise that emerged from a research project in University College Dublin and which explores how towns and cities can be made more resilient and sustainable.
The report identifies a number of issues and includes a set of actions.
The Report contains:
- individual accounts of the implementation of the pilot in each town
- a summary of a workshop which included the participants in the pilot and other relevant experts
- discussion on the emerging issues
- 15 suggested actions for further consideration
The Town Centre Living Initiative report was published on 22 June 2020.
The Joint Programme for Government (PFG) has committed in outline to the development of a Town Centre First (TCF) policy, modelled on the scheme developed by the Scottish Government, and informed by the Town Centre Living pilot.
Following on from this pilot, an Inter-Departmental Group has been established to progress the commitment to develop a Town Centre First approach to the regeneration of our towns and villages. The Inter-Departmental Group will, among other things, consider all of the suggested actions in the report on the Town Centre Living initiative.
The Town Centre First Policy was launched on 4 February and provides a co-ordinated, whole-of-government policy framework to proactively address the decline in the health of towns across Ireland and support measures to regenerate and revitalise them.
Key to Town Centre First are local communities and local businesses who now have the opportunity to reimagine and shape the future of their town/ village through the development of a Town Centre First Plan with the support of a dedicated Town Regeneration Officer and their Local Authority.
In phase one, a Town Centre First Plan will be developed by June 2023 in the following towns/ villages:
- Tullow, Co. Carlow
- Bailieborough, Co. Cavan
- Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare
- Skibbereen, Co Cork
- Milford, Co. Donegal
- Lusk, Fingal
- Gort, Co. Galway
- Milltown, Co. Kerry
- Clane, Co. Kildare
- Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny
- Rathdowney, Co. Laois
- Carrick On Shannon, Co. Leitrim
- Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick
- Longford Town, Co. Longford
- Dunleer, Co. Louth
- Killala, Co. Mayo
- Enfield, Co. Meath
- Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan
- Clara, Co. Offaly
- Strokestown, Co. Roscommon
- Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
- Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
- Portlaw, Co. Waterford
- Moate, Co. Westmeath
- New Ross, Co. Wexford
- Blessington, Co. Wicklow
In each of the 26 towns/ villages listed above, a Town Team will be formed (if one doesn’t already exist).
Each Town Team will comprise of representatives of local residents, business people, community/ voluntary groups and other stakeholders who come together with the support of the Local Authority through a dedicated Town Regeneration Officer to develop a plan (Town Centre First Plan) and follow through with the all-important actions to make their area a better place to live, work and visit.
If you live or have a business in one of the 26 towns/ villages listed above, are passionate about its future and would like to be part of the Town Team we would love to hear from you. For further information or to express an interest please contact Mairead Hunt, National Town Centre First Office at tcf@lgma.ie
