Calls for development of mart site in county Longford town

Proposals to develop an Edgeworthstown town centre derelict site may have to be put on hold as the town's infrastructure is at full capacity.

A notice of motion tabled at the Ballymahon MD September meeting by Cllr Paul Ross asked Longford County Council to look at a “potential development site on the outskirts of Edgeworthstown” with a view to purchasing it for Housing Development.
“I initially tabled the motion in July, however it only came before the chamber at the September meeting,” Cllr Ross told the Leader.

“It's the mart site. It presents so much development potential for the town centre in terms of business units, warehousing, or an enterprise hub,” Cllr Ross outlined.

The prospect of addressing the large vacant unit is a topic of discussion in the town: “Members of the town development team said that the town is going well, and this is the last part of the town that needs to be redeveloped. It's a prime site in the middle of the town with a commercial building in very poor repair.

“They suggested that the council could acquire the site with a view to developing it, because it's wasted at the moment. It's a prime town centre site for housing or economic development in Edgeworthstown.”

The Fine Gael representative said the executive indicated difficulties with further development in the town: “The initial response said further housing development is hampered because the sewerage treatment plant is currently at capacity.
“There are plans to upgrade the sewerage treatment plant in Edgeworthstown, that could take a couple of years but it is on the cards. We expect Irish Water will get a large boost in their coffers in the budget this week.”

Cllr Ross said there are other factors to be considered regarding the site: “I also mentioned that if there wasn't going to be something done immediately regarding housing that the council would look at from a dereliction point of view.
There are slates coming off the roof, and it's only going to deteriorate. It's something that has to be looked at from a derelict structures point of view.”