Design process underway for €915,000 Oldcastle Fire Station upgrade
Plans to upgrade the Oldcastle Fire Station are progressing, with Meath County Council (MCC) confirming that a tender has been issued for the appointment of a design team.
The tender seeks a multi-party framework agreement for architect-led, multidisciplinary and integrated design team services to oversee the extension and upgrade of the facility.
At the October meeting of the Kells Municipal District, Councillor Peter Caffrey submitted a question seeking an update on the project.
In response, the council said a design team is expected to be appointed by the end of 2025, with design work due to begin in early 2026.
The design phase will include cost estimation and planning proposals, all of which will require approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DoHLGH) through the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) before a formal planning application can be submitted to Meath County Council.
According to the local authority, final approval from the DoHLGH will also be required before a construction contract can be awarded.
The council outlined an overall programme of approximately 37 months, from the issuance of tender documents to the completion and handover of the upgraded facility to the Meath County Council Fire & Rescue Service.
Upgrade works to Oldcastle Fire Station were approved earlier this year, with funding of more than €915,000 secured for the project. The upgrade is expected to improve facilities and enhance operational capacity for the local fire service.