Tenders for Ballynacargy economic plan now closed

Westmeath County Council is from this week to begin the process of selecting a consultant to examine Ballynacargy’s prospects of economic growth.

The funding for the study was announced in November by Minister Robert Troy and Minister Damien English, part of an overall €548,250 for 18 regional enterprise projects from the €10 million Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme (RETS).

The council advertised in January for tenders for the project, and the closing date was Friday.

The tender invitation is for one contractor to provide the services of an economic analyst and an architectural services expert.

The function of the economic analyst is described in the ad as being to prepare a feasibility study and business case for a multi-site activation project for Ballynacargy and advice and guidance on economic development in villages and towns of that size and outside of the main towns.

The advert says that the services will be required of the architectural services expert to prepare preliminary/indicative site layout(s) and digital 3D architectural sketches for proposals set out within the economic feasibility study (EFS).

Estimated costings and calculations of estimated potential land capacity and development density ranges for the project proposal(s) are also going to be needed.

Helen de Lacy, of the Westmeath Enterprise Office explained this week that the project is also intended to benefit other areas of the county.

“Westmeath County Council successfully secured a matched funding grant of €25,000 from Enterprise Ireland under the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme to conduct a feasibility study for the economic development of Ballynacargy,” Ms de Lacy said.

The aim of the study is to determine the feasibility of creating an economic enterprise hub, she continued, stating that a further aim is to develop a plan to promote council-owned serviced sites to attract manufacturing and light industrial activity and create a plan to redevelop vacant buildings in the core town area.

“The feasibility study will encompass a wider study on how to stimulate economic development in small villages and towns in Westmeath,” she stated, adding that the project will run from February to June 2022.

Cllr Johnnie Penrose said this week that rural Ireland is “dying on its feet”, and he welcomed the fact that the Ballynacargy study is to act as a blueprint for other areas.