Strong public backing for redevelopment of long-derelict Tipperary site
There is strong support for the redevelopment of a long-derelict site in Tipperary, a public consultation has shown.
Tipperary County Council has been progressing with plans to make use of the former Goldcrop site in Carrick-on-Suir, with a public consultation – the most recent step in planning – yielding over 2,000 responses from locals.
2,062 responses to a survey circulated by the local authority showed that the majority of respondents were in favour of redevelopment of the site.
The project aims to figure out what the best use of the 2.7 acre site would be, with particular focus on tourism, leisure and regeneration, Tipperary County Council said.
The site is positioned close to Dillon Bridge and is adjacent to North Quay and Castle Lane. It is located between Ormond Castle and Main Street and is directly behind Brewery Lane Theatre, Strand Theatre, Tudor Artisan Hub and the former An Post building, which is being renovated under phase three of the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration plan.
The survey showed that 67pc of people strongly supported plans to develop the site, while 23pc supported the plans. Just 5pc of people didn’t want the site to be developed.
55pc of respondents said that more employment opportunities were needed for Carrick-on-Suir, 34pc said that road and traffic improvements were needed, and 36pc of people said that more retail and shopping options were needed.
38pc of people said the town needed more housing, while there were over 700 responses that said the town needed more car parking facilities.
The survey revealed that green or amenity space was the preferred option by 54pc of people, 23pc of people said it should be a mixed-use development, while a further 23pc of people said it should be used for tourism-based activities.
21pc of people said the site should be used for housing.
Cathaoirleach of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District, Cllr David Dunne said: “Carrick-on-Suir has already seen the impact of the current regeneration funding, the progress on this long derelict site is a further step in the ongoing investment into the town and ensures that the momentum around the regeneration of the town continues.
“Ultimately, any development of the site will bring jobs and opportunities to the town along with adding further to the aesthetic appeal of our town,” he added.
Marie Cox, district administrator for the Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District said that the survey’s findings show that people want growth that creates jobs in the town.
"This survey confirms what we’ve heard from the community: Carrick-on-Suir wants growth that creates jobs, improves infrastructure, and respects the environment,” she said.
"Enhancement of tourism offering along with improved accessibility and appropriate parking for the redevelopment were highlighted, and consideration of these will form part of the next phase of the master planning process,” Ms Cox added.
The findings of the survey will now inform the masterplan for the site.
The Carrick-on-Suir Riverside Regeneration project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund.