Project Ardee 2040 takes step forward as council moves to planning stage

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

The flagship ‘Project Ardee 2040’ is set to take a significant step forward, with Louth County Council due to submit a planning application by the end of October.

Long awaited regeneration of the mid-Louth town was highlighted at the monthly meeting of Ardee Municipal District, where councillors heard that the council are now ready to move on planning.

"I know it has been a very long road, but we are due to submit a planning application this month,” said Senior Executive Engineer, Olivia McCormack.

The council are working on the “final pieces” she added, saying that discussions had taken place with councillors and local groups about the memorial trees at Railway lands. The council expect to issue notice on this to the public next week.

The ambitious 2040 project includes plans to improve the streetscape and amenity of Ardee with a focus on four key opportunity sites: Main Street; Ash Walk; The Old Railway; and amenity lands to the east of the Town.

Work on developing the project has been ongoing for a number of years. Louth County Council conducted extensive consultation with stakeholders and interested parties including residents, retailers, elderly representative groups, institutions, and businesses as well as community and sporting groups ahead of a submission to An Coimisiún Pleanála.