'It will be the catalyst for development within an area of decline and dereliction that was a hive of activity in the past'

FLOWER HILL in Navan is set for a major overhaul courtesy of a €7.66m grant under the Government’s urban regeneration fund.

The funding, which was announced by Minister Darragh O’Brien, will allow for a complete renovation of the street, as well as the creation of a riverbank walk/cycleway between Flower Hill and Blackwater Park.

Work will include the development of a community and cultural facility, upgrading of frontage on existing buildings and a very exciting riverbank project which will link Blackwater Park to the bottom of Flower Hill.

The proposed works include: upgrading surface paving, new pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes, street trees, lighting and furniture.

Welcoming the announcement Senator Shane Cassells said: “A massive investment injection had been administered into the heart of Navan, which will see Flower Hill totally upgraded.

“In all my years fighting for Navan this is the single biggest injection of funds into one main area of the town and what this is going to allow us to do is simply transformational.

“Not only going are we going to transform the whole physical street but the creation of a river walkway to Blackwater Park opens up the rivers of this town to the people. This is game changing stuff.”

Minister Damien English said the funding would help turn the area around and make it a more vibrant place.

“In my previous role as Minister for Housing and Urban Development in November 2018 we launched the fund to help unlock potential in our towns across the country and to tackle dereliction.

"It is great news that we are being supported so positively again under the URDF. As the largest town in county Meath, it is important that we can continue to grow and develop and I’m very excited about this latest funding which follows on from initial funding in 2018 for the Flower Hill development." Deputy Johnny Guirke said the project will see a major overhaul of the area, which was once a place of activity but went into decline.

“The funding will see a transformation of Flower Hill and Abbeylands with upgrading of paving, new trees, lighting, furniture, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings.

“Part of the regeneration project will see a frontage improvement for Flower Hill with works involving restoration and lighting of historic frontages.

“The northern side of the river Blackwater will prosper too, new pedestrian and cycle paths with lighting, furniture and wayfinding measures is part of the public realm."

Cllr Tommy Reilly welcomed news of the “historic refurbishment”.

“It will be the catalyst for development within an area of decline and dereliction that was a hive of activity in the past," he said.

Cllr Edward Fennessy said: “Speaking as someone who has worked in the Sinn Féin office on Flower Hill for almost two decades and seen first hand the impact of dereliction and the associated social problems that built up around it, I welcome this announcement with open arms.

“Funding secured will provide for a boardwalk linking Mill Lane with the Blackwater Park, a state of the art community centre, street scape upgrade and funding to improve building frontage.

“The quality of life enjoyed by the residents of Flower Hill will be greatly enhanced over the coming years."

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said Navan’s Municipal District councillors had met stakeholders, residents and interested parties in the last few years to see what local people want for this area. "We have already begun part of this project with the closing off of Linky Lane and the clearing out of derelict and abandoned buildings in Abbeylands. It is most important that this funding is used wisely to upgrade Flower Hill and Abbeylands and that the area is then maintained allowing business to thrive and residents to move back into a quality town centre location".

Cllr Emer Tóibín welcomed the funding saying that part of Navan needed a make-over for a long time. "Work will also take place on the derelict houses which will be released back into the housing stock,"she said.