New 'masterplan' could transform Edenderry town

A masterplan which is set to rejuvenate the centre of Edenderry, including a design for a new library and a community campus, is moving forward.

Tenders have been sought for an architectural and economic masterplan for the Edenderry's JKL Street and backlands area.

This includes a commuter survey for the town and survey of multinationals in relation to their locational requirements in the years ahead.

Offaly County Council have also sought an indicative block plan and concept design for a new library and community campus as part of the ambitious plans covering a large tranche of the centre of Edenderry.

The project spans roughly 28 acres of Edenderry's JKL Street. That's according to Cllr Noel Cribbin, who says "Edenderry is crying out for a project like this".

"It involves the old Tesco site on the Main Street that has been derelict for the last 15 years. 

Cllr Cribbin told the Offaly Independent that there's a store behind that again which he understands has been the site of incidents of anti-social behaviour.

"And there's land behind that again and the council have now put together a plan to acquire it all - which in total comes to around 28 acres in total.

"That's massive for Edenderry and massive news for any town," Cllr Cribbin stated emphatically this week.

“Myself and Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy presented this to Minister Michael Ring when he was last down, and now the plan has been accepted by the Department (Rural and Community Development) and they’ve awarded the town €100,000 towards this.

“It’s gone out to tender for architects and they will hopefully come back with a plan.”
Included in the project are design consultancy services; architectural and related services; a feasibility stud & project and design preparation.

- More in this week's edition of the Offaly Independent