On behalf of Bagenalstown Improvement Group (BIG) I recently made a submission to the draft Local Aore Plan (LAP) calling for the rejuvenation of the town centre.  BIG is vested in the sustainable development of Bagenalstown and, driven by a sense of civic pride, has lamented the decline in the town’s centre in last decade or so. This has had a corresponding negative impact on many buildings in the town centre, rendering it an atmosphere of decline. This is in spite of the genuine efforts of the local business community, Carlow County Council and BIG to maintain the physical environment.

Like many other towns nationally, it has suffered as a result of changing consumer behaviour patterns. Increased access to private car ownership has resulted in consumers travelling to larger retail centres. Online shopping has negatively impacted on the retail sector resulting in reduced footfall. The absence of a developed tourist product the town means the tourist sector cannot compensate for this economic loss. Despite a strong engineering sector in the town’s environs, Bagenalstown is designated an area of economic disadvantage, indicating that local employment needs to be further prioritised.

In 2023 BIG members participated in the Smart Villages programme. The leader supported initiative seeks to support “communities in rural areas that use innovative solutions to improve their resilience, building on local strengths and opportunities”. On the basis of the training the BIG devised a Smart Villages Strategy for Bagenalstown. Central to the strategy is the principle of exploiting the town’s built and natural heritage to establish a sustainable economic development model for the community for the benefit of members. The strategy proposes that provision is made for the establishment of a Barrow Heritage Centre and a Barrow Heritage (motorhome) Park at a suitable site. 

This submission requested that the Smart Villages Strategy for Bagenalstown and its objectives be noted for future activation. The principle purpose of the submission, however, is to propose that the land known as Jordan’s Field be zoned in the Local Area Plan 2024-2030 so as to facilitate the establishment of a motorhome park, the Barrow Heritage Park, on the site. 

BIG believes that the revitalisation of the town centre must represent a top priority for the LAP. In order to achieve this, the premise of the development model for the town centre needs to be rethought, entailing a rebranding of the town. Planning on the premise of an outdated economic model, where Bagenalstown was considered primarily as a market town, will not result in a vibrant, resilient town centre. Investment must be directed at a sustainable regeneration model that builds on the towns strengths and assets.

The full submission can be viewed on the Consult Carlow webpage in the 'Consultations' category.