Barracks history ‘will be protected’
The Land Development Agency (LDA) says lines of communication with community groups and other stakeholder will be maintained throughout the redevelopment of Columb Barracks.
In a letter to Deputy Robert Troy last week, the LDA said that once a preliminary design for the construction of around 100 houses on a greenfield site at the barracks is drawn up, it will commence “the consultation process with key stakeholders, including Westmeath County Council, the local community and community groups currently based on site, as well as the elected members of the Council and seek their valued feedback”.
“The LDA are fully committed to maintaining open lines of communication with all stakeholders throughout the life cycle of the development”.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner this week, Deputy Troy said that any future redevelopment of the barracks will “facilitate and protect the community groups currently using the site”.
“A significant percentage of the land at Columb Barracks is unused at the moment, which is in a greenfield site. What I want to ensure happens is that the historical and cultural significance of the existing buildings is maintained and that the community groups are facilitated, while at the same time there is an opportunity to provide affordable housing for young families who cannot get access to housing currently.
“I think the confirmation I got from the LDA is that there is going to be significant consultation with the groups and that nothing will be done contrary to what we would like to see achieved in terms of maintaining historical, cultural and artistic significance of the facility and protect the community groups that are using it,” Deputy Troy said.
The Fianna Fáil TD said he would like to see some of the money raised from house sales going to upgrade and protect the existing buildings.
“You can’t just let it roll on as it is. We need a proper structure for the running of the barracks campus,” he said.
Protected structures
Deputy Peter Burke said that recent reports on social media that some of the existing buildings could be knocked as part of the barracks redevelopment are untrue, as many are protected structures.
“I have raised this with the minister, but I want to outline clearly that the buildings in the barracks are protected structures, they have clubs and organisations in situ and will not be the site for any new housing.
“The land is being transferred to the Land Development Agency; however, this has not yet happened and the LDA does not yet have any legislative powers – so talk of any residential development is premature.
“The new government, when it is formed, will give direction to the LDA in relation to Columb Barracks and I secured a commitment from Minister Eoghan Murphy in 2018 that this will be done in consultation with the community of Mullingar.
“There will be no slicing and dicing of land and the community must have a social dividend in the site.
“I also showed Columb Barracks to Minister Paschal Donohoe in late 2018 and Jason McKevitt gave us a great overview of the old buildings and the history of the site, which is central to the culture and heritage of our town.
“I believe there is great potential here for a museum and I will be pursuing this with government.
“A significant part of the total site is a green field area. It should be noted that the footprint of the site is over 24 acres – 10 acres is the barracks area. The buildings are listed and protected, so I am unsure where the reports are coming from that they are going to be replaced with new houses, as that is simply not the case.
“As a native of the town, I fully appreciate the potential and cultural value of Columb Barracks. I continue to work with the occupants and clubs and will be liaising with government and seeking updates on any transfer of land in the coming Dáil term,” Deputy Burke said.
Two weeks ago, the Westmeath Examiner revealed that 100 new homes are set to be built on undeveloped land at the barracks, the first phase of a project announced almost three years ago as part of the Rebuilding Ireland programme.
In a statement issued to the paper, the LDA said that it hoped to begin construction before the end of the year.
The news has led to concerns that the more than 20 community groups currently based in the barracks will have to find new homes, as well as fears that the heritage of the barracks will be compromised.
In a letter to the Westmeath Examiner, Mullingar historian Jason McKevitt said that “it would be a betrayal of future generations for this location to be plundered for profit”. Bressie was one of the many locals who took to social media in recent weeks to voice his concern about the development.