Pedestrian plan for Cavan mapped out

Cavan Town's first pedestrianised area was among the highlights of the update on the Abbeylands Masterplan, provided by one of the architects behind the ambitious project, writes Thomas Lyons.

Councillors were told that the development presents an “opportunity to create a vibrant new civic space” as progress of the Masterplan was outlined at last Friday's meeting of Cavan Belturbet Municipal District.

There was a note of caution sounded by a member of the executive, however, explaining that a decision on an application for funding to make the project a reality was awaited.

Though concerns about the preservation of the burial site were expressed, members were broadly welcoming of the plan for an area embracing Main Street, Bridge Street, Abbey Street, Farnham Street, Market Square, Townhall Street and all lands to the rear.

The masterplan, drafted by DHB Architects and Cooney Architects, aims to identify and prioritise a scheme of works to redevelop and rejuvenate this historic area in the town centre. Architect Frank Cooney told the Cavan-Belturbet councillors the plans have been compiled following "a very successful" public consultation process.

The objectives are to work in collaboration with stakeholders in Cavan Town centre to undertake a structured scheme to redevelop a significant area of backlands in the town core. They hope to “rejuvenate the town core”, which is described as being “in decline in recent years”.

The masterplan hopes to implement a scheme of works to create a public and civic space in the town core with the Abbeylands site and create the first pedestrianised area in the town centre.

The local authority are the owners of the site, as well as the nearby Cavan Townhall. Members were told the project is at the mid-point of the design plan and the local authority anticipate it will be completed in eight weeks, following final stage of public consultation.

The development is to provide an open space with many access points that would be a civic amenity hub for the town. The next phase will be a return to public consultation.

Municipal District members said any development would have to respect the history of the site. Cllr Patricia Walsh (FF) asked the architect about the considerations of graves in the Abbeylands site and plans for headstones that were previously moved?

Mr Cooney said any development would be conscious and respectful of its history as a burial site and plans put forward for approval would take these into consideration. The architect said there has been a lot of buy-in from business people and residents about the development: “We knocked on a lot of doors and people have been very helpful.”

Cllr Madeleine Argue (FG) also raised the issue of the headstones with the architect and added: “Cavan needs a project of this nature to realise the tourism potential of the town.”

Addressing the members, Director of Services with Cavan County Council, Brendan Jennings, said that the masterplan is a key spoke in the urban regeneration of Cavan town: “The potential that can come from the Abbeylands development for the centre of Cavan Town is substantial. This has been mooted before, but as always it is subject to funding. We have made the application under the Urban Regeneration Fund. If we are unsuccessful, it may stymie the progress, but it will not stop it.”

The Department of Housing Planning and Local Government oversee the Urban Regeneration Fund. An announcement on the funding is expected at the end of the summer, however, the Department has not provided a date.

Mr Jennings concluded by saying protecting heritage would be at the very core of the development.