Anna Marie Flynn
PLANNERS in Ballina have given the green light to a state-of-the-art community centre which will complete the €13 million rejuvenation of the residential area.
Cluid Housing Association, which is currently heading up the largest development of its kind in Mayo, was last week granted conditional planning permission from Ballina Town Council for the development of a two-storey community centre.
Planning was also agreed for associated car park and ancillary works on site. The permission is subject to 16 planning conditions.
Agents, Rhatigan and Company Architects, together with the applicant, Cluid Housing Association will demolish the existing properties at St Patrick’s Estate, at the junction of Fenian Row/St Patrick’s Estate in order to complete the new build.
The site, at St Patrick’s Estate, or Parkside as it is locally known, will become the location of a multi-functional community centre, the finishing touch to the regenerated housing estate.
The first phase of the regeneration project was officially opened by Minister Michael Finneran late last year.
Brian O’Gorman, Chief Executive of Clúid, said – despite the economic crisis – local authorities and national government must focus on regenerating estates that have fallen into decline.
Clúid is a not-for-profit organisation that develops and manages housing for people on low incomes, as well as people with disabilities.
“Regeneration costs less than supplying new social housing units from scratch. In addition, many estates in need of regeneration are in areas of strategic importance and are close to existing infrastructures and services, such as public transport networks, water and power supplies, and local schools and shops,” he said.
While phase one is now officially completed, work is currently under way on the subsequent phase of the project.
