Plans for enhancement works in Fore approved – with omissions

Plans for enhancement works in Fore have had to be amended, after concerns were raised by the county heritage officer and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DAU) over two of the proposals contained in the plan.

County council chief executive, Pat Gallagher, delivering his report on Part 8 planning for the enhancement programme, recommended that the provision of a paved community space in front of the Old Gaol Monument in the centre of Fore, and “completion” of a missing section of a heritage stone wall be omitted.

Those works required further consideration by a grade one conservation architect, he said, adding that any such design proposals should be based on the culture and significance of Fore, with particular consideration given to any proposed repairs to the historic boundary wall.

If the boundary wall works are to go ahead, it would have to be after consideration of an evidence-based justification, he said.

The remaining aspects of the enhancement plan – which are for road surfacing and road markings and the provision of public lighting along an existing footpath trail along the L5637 – were approved by councillors when the subject came up for discussion at the October meeting of Westmeath County Council.

The works will require the upgrade of the existing footpath infrastructure in the village, proposed along the L5637 and the L1163.

The scheme extends from the Fore Abbey car park on the L1633 at the southern and eastern extent of the scheme, and extends north along the L5637, where it terminates at the start of the Nancy and Nellie Walkway.

The manager’s written report, which was circulated to members in advance of the meeting, stated that the heritage officer was concerned that the proposed paving in front of the Old Gaol might detract from its setting.

The officer was also of the view that clarification was needed on the type of paving and indicated that any paving installed would have to use locally appropriate materials such as limestone.

In relation to the wall, the heritage officer queried whether any professional opinion had been sought on the existing wall referred to and its historic significance.

The concerns of the DAU were similar and it recommended that further conservation expertise be drawn on to inform works in the village, particularly the proposed repairs to the historic boundary wall.

The department went on to state that where possible the design and installation of new paving should be considered in the context of the historic village character.

In response to concerns raised about the lighting to be provided, Mr Gallagher recommended that the lighting on the project site should be designed in line with best practice guidance, such as Dark Sky Ireland Lighting Recommendations.

Local councillor, Frank McDermott, welcomed the manager’s report, and formally proposed that the work go ahead, while Cllr John Shaw also welcomed the plans, as did Cllr Denis Leonard, saying Fore was the jewel in the crown of north Westmeath tourism.