Fears redevelopment of New Ross Grain Store will be left unfinished – ‘are we committed to the full project?’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

With a number of projects, including the Norman Visitor Centre and the South East Greenway, due for completion in 2027, New Ross is preparing for a huge boost to its tourism economy. Added to that is the proposed regeneration of The Grain Store on John Street, a project which will see it transformed into riverside community and enterprise hub featuring a multi-story complex with a restaurant and pavilion, hot desks, community rooms, and a mezzanine garden overlooking the river.

However, one local councillor has sounded a warning regarding this project, with fears it will be left unfinished due to the complexities of the planning process.

That planning process will see The Grain Store building developed as part of one application by Wexford County Council (WCC) with the public realm works outside the building subject to a separate application.

“We need to reiterate our support for the entire project because it’s looking like it will be split into two planning applications,” said Councillor Michael Sheehan at the September meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD).

“Can we establish that as a district we are committed to the full project? We don’t want to see any dilution of either side of it. The last thing we want to see is one area going ahead at the expense of the other.”

Sean Meyler of WCC’s special projects team explained that, although works on the building itself had been approved, the public realm works had to go through an environmental impact assessment before getting the go ahead.

“So we’re talking about a year before we see the public realm works approved,” said Mr Meyler. “We can redevelop The Grain Store and then subsequently build the public realm, but it doesn't mean we’re going to do one without the other.”

Cllr Sheehan wasn’t fully convinced.

“My fear is we’ll get part of it done and then it'll be a case of ‘ah sure we’ll come back to it at another time’. And that time will never come."

Meanwhile, WCC has appointed an architect for the works to extend the Dunbrody Visitor Centre.