Town Harbour project has 'potential' say LCRL

A leading local development group has given the clearest signal yet that it will support plans to re-develop the Longford town harbour.

Longford Community Resources Ltd (LCRL) chief executive Adrian Greene said the project was a viable one, provided the scheme stayed community-based and remained within the parameters of the Rural Development Programme 2007-13.

He said no individuals or groups had contacted the body with a view to submitting a proposal to date, but admitted it was a scheme currently being debated.

"No one has approached us yet, though there is potential for it," he said, revealing that up to €500,000 can be awarded to non-commercial developments.

Mr Greene was responding to comments attributed to Longford Town Cllr Paul Connell at last week's meeting of the local authority who called for the local authority chiefs to allocate funding to the project.

At the meeting, Cllr Connell intimated the scheme could form part of an LCRL led flaghsip initiative and attract funding of up to €500,000 subject to government approval.

Mr Greene was conscious not to discuss the finer details of how any future programme might be arranged, saying the idea was one which had the "potential for funding" in accordance with the Rural Development Programme.

Under provisions drawn up and following the submission of a strategic plan in July 2008, LCRL secured €8.71m enabling communities up and down the county to access funding directed at the likes of tourism, training and recreational obligations.

In spite of numerous projects such at the Mall playground in Longford town coming on stream thanks to part funding from the Leader Programme, Mr Greene revealed almost €5m was still available to community groups through the scheme until 2013.