Ferbane chosen as Offaly town for new Town Centre First plan

Ferbane has been announced among the next tranche of towns to receive Town Centre First Plans.

Town Centre First Plans contain proposals for a diverse range of projects such as redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, boosting SME and tourism potential, and protecting historical landmarks.

Clara was the Offaly town previously chosen in the first series and a plan was prepared and produced, whilst Ferbane has been announced in the next batch and will receive €30,000 for the plan.

“I am pleased to also announce the next 26 successful towns across the country who we will support with funding of €30,000 each to complete a comprehensive town plan to help develop their town centres," said Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys

Town Centre First supports the objectives of the national rural development policy, Our Rural Future, in revitalising rural towns and engages communities through “Town Teams”. Every town is different, and so local visions take account of these unique challenges, needs and opportunities.

Town Centre First also supports the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Housing for All by unlocking the potential of vacant and underused buildings to increase housing supply and attract more people to live and work in our town centres.

Town Teams, involving local authorities, local communities and other stakeholders, are established in each of the towns chosen, to help drive the project.

Launched in 2022, Town Centre First is driving one of the biggest ever programme of investments in rural Ireland and has a core aim of confronting dereliction and the general decline in the health of Ireland’s town centres.

To find out more about the initiative and how communities can become involved, visit www.towncentrefirst.ie