Dereliction and development in Kanturk to be tackled as town chosen for regeneration plan

Plan aims to tackle vacancies and drive future development across the town

Kanturk is the second in the county to benefit from the Town Centre First Plan initiative. Picture Denis Minihane.

Kanturk has been announced as one of 26 towns nationally chosen for a Town Centre First Plan, with funding of €30,000 being granted for the development of the initiative.

The Town Centre First Policy represents a joint strategy by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to tackle vacancy and dereliction, drive future development and breathe new life into town centres.

Welcoming the announcement as part of the second phase of Town Centre First Plans, Mayor of Cork County, Cllr. Frank O’ Flynn said “I am delighted that Kanturk is set to benefit from this fund. Town Centre First Plans provide the community with an opportunity to shape the future of their town. 

"It can contain proposals for a diverse range of projects such as redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, boosting business and tourism potential and protecting historical landmarks. This has the potential to be truly transformative.”

Kanturk is the second town in Cork County to benefit from the initiative, with Skibbereen’s ‘Town Centre First Regeneration Plan’ due to be launched shortly following months of extensive public consultation. 

Cork County Council’s Town Regeneration Office will now work to assemble a ‘Town Team’ for Kanturk to guide the development over the coming months. 

Following the announcement of Town Centre First funding supports by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, Cork County Council is also inviting Expressions of Interest for projects identified by Town Teams and local communities that will assist in regenerating their towns.

Selection of projects under the scheme will be through a competitive process. Cork County Council can submit two applications to a value of €50,000 each to the Department of Rural and Community Development, with the development of projects to be undertaken in consultation with the Town Regeneration Office of Cork County Council, the local community and business interests.