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for the derelict houses in the estate, thereby addressing the
negative impact of the houses on the image of the estate. The refurbishment
programme will see the derelict houses refurbished to high standards and
specifications in accordance with the current building regulations, with the
exception of two bungalows in Benson Drive which will be demolished and the area
landscaped and re-developed.
The refurbishment programme marks a significant achievement for the project with
work on site due to commences on 4th July. Last week Deputy County Manager, Tom
Kilfeather and Town Clerk, John McNabola formally signed the contract agreement
on behalf of Sligo Borough Council with TH Contractors Ltd, a Mayo based
construction firm who were selected to carry out the works following two
separate tendering processes. Members of the Community and elected Members
joined the officials of Sligo Borough Council for the official signing of the
contract agreement.
The commencement of the Pilot Project comes as the strategy for the overall
regeneration of the Cranmore estate is submitted to the Department of
Environment, Heritage and Local Government for approval and funding. Earlier
this month members of the Project Team met with Department officials to present
and discuss the Draft Master Plan for the re-development of the Cranmore estate.
The Draft Master Plan which has received the endorsement of the Community
Platform, the Steering Committee and Members of Sligo Borough Council sets out a
series of proposals for the redevelopment of the estate, in order to improve the
quality of living for the residents living there. The key proposals contained in
the plan include the provision of competitive sports facilities in the Cleveragh
area to allow for the re-development of Sean Fallon pitch (currently located in
the Cranmore estate) for multi purpose sport and recreation to serve the
Cranmore Community; the provision of a Neighbourhood Centre in the middle of the
estate to accommodate community, enterprise and local agencies in delivering
outreach services, as well as a complete refurbishment of Sligo Borough
Council’s housing stock with provision for partial works by the private sector.
Commenting on the submission of the Draft Master plan for Cranmore, Project
Leader Jennifer Murphy said “our meeting with the Department went very well and
we are hopeful of a positive response to our submission. A lot of time, energy
and creative thinking has gone into developing the strategy for Cranmore and we
believe the proposals in the plan submitted to the Department will bring
enormous benefits and positive transformation to the Cranmore Community. We look
forward to a favourable response from the Department in due course”.
The submission of the Draft Master Plan followed a lengthy consultation process
with the Community and other key stakeholders. The Draft Master Plan was
launched for consultation in September last year and since then a series of high
profile open day consultation events were held in the Cranmore Community and
with individual resident associations regarding localised issues to be
addressed. The Project Team now await official response from the Department
Officials regarding the proposals contained in the Draft Masterplan.
In the meantime, the commencement of the Pilot Project on site and the
completion of the new Cranmore Playground signals the start of the regeneration
process in Cranmore and both are seen as significant ‘early wins’ for the
Community. As with all regeneration projects, the time frame from the initial
planning through to completion is lengthy. It is therefore important the project
delivers early wins so that the Community can see the early signs of
regeneration taking place in their neighbourhood. Details of the Pilot Project
are available at the Cranmore Regeneration Project office based at 37 Racecourse
View.
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