Plans progressing for Enterprise hub for old ESB offices
Plans for a community and enterprise hub in the former ESB building in Enfield are moving forward with a contractor expected to be appointed in the coming weeks.
The tender process has now been completed by Meath County Council and contracts are expected to be signed shortly on the development which will provide community meeting space as well as an enterprise hub with offices and hot desks.
Planning is in place for the change of use from office space to community use and for minor alterations to the facade.
The council purchased the former ESB office from the OPW to develop community facilities including an enterprise hub.
The plans were briefly put on hold to accommodate the new Enfield Community College which used the former ESB building for a year.
The school is now in temporary accommodation in the car park at the rear of the property until its permanent school building comes on stream.
With the property now vacant, it will allow construction work to start in the coming months. With the cost of building projects going up, an additional €55,800 has been allocated by Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys towards the work, bringing the total grant to just over €670,000.
Angela Smith, Chairperson of the local Enfield Community Group said they are delighted to see the project progressing and they are hoping construction work will commence soon.
The old ESB office had stood idle for more than a decade and the group first brought their vision for an enterprise centre and community hub to the council in 2016.
Ms Smith said the former ESB office was one of Enfield's key buildings in the town and they had wanted to look at getting community facilities into it.
She added that they are delighted that the council was willing to take on the project and run it as it would take the pressure off them as a voluntary community group.
“About half the building will be working desks and the other half will be other community meeting rooms that will be available to local groups.”
Ms Smith paid tribute to Dara McGowan for all his help on progressing the project and also local councillors for their support.