Monaghan town plan with Bord

Council behind plans in Monaghan Town and Newbliss Digital Hub

A proposed radical overhaul of the layout to Monaghan town has progressed to where the County Council has submitted their plans to An Bord Pleanála under an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Request.

A potential multi-million euro rejuvenation, complete with a new centrally located civic square to be titled ‘Charles Gavan Duffy Place’, is incorporated in the ambitious redevelopment of South Dublin Street and the under-developed backlands area of the town centre.

First unveiled in 2017, the South Dublin Street & Backlands Regeneration Project has moved through a number of key phases in the interim. The areas concerned are 1-9 The Diamond, 1-26 Dublin Street and its backlands extending to the Lower Courthouse car park and the Monaghan Shopping Centre.

The vision includes extending the retail offering already in existence, to encompass 16,000 square metres of high street stores, a hotel, offices, health care facilities, restaurants, residential units, as well as leisure facilities.

Funded under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Draft Plan was prepared in consultation with landowners and the Monaghan Town Team.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Request was lodged by the Council last month.

A decision is due in May.

Monaghan County Council anticipate making a full presentation on the Dublin Street and the Rooskey Masterplans to elected members in February.

Newbliss digital hub

Separatly, Monaghan County Council has submitted plans to renovate and restore the former Council Offices at Main Street, Newbliss. A Protected Structure, the aim is to transform the former administrative building for use as Enterprise and Digital Hub.

Included in the permission in a proposal to demolish a shed (constructed circa 1970s) to the rear.

The new digital hub will be fully accessible.

A decision is due Friday, January 29.