Why has the regeneration of Flower Hill stalled?
Calls for the regeneration of Navan's Flower Hill to be delivered as quickly as possible have been made four years after the government announced that €7.66 million in funding to redevelop the area.
Residents and businesses have asked why the work isn't progressing, while public representatives have called for an update on progress to date.
The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy, recalled the regeneration was hailed as an unprecedented investment and welcomed by all, particularly the communities who live and work in and around the area.
“Almost straight away, architects were employed, designs drawn up and presentations given. Disappointingly, we haven't progressed much beyond that point since then.
“Flowerhill has been beset with dereliction issues for a number of decades at this stage. This fund and the transformation it promises, needs to be delivered as quickly as possible.
“From Mill Lane to the Round O' and beyond will be redeveloped. It will completely transform the area and open it up to investment. A riverside walk linking the area with the Blackwater Park was also proposed and it would be great if that could delivered as part of the project too.
“My term as Mayor of Navan is drawing to a close. It is my intention to push for a commencement of the next phase of this project before I leave that political office.”
A blueprint for the entire area was drawn up by Paul Hogarth Company in conjunction with the council's own planning department and substantial funding will be available to property owners on Flower Hill to improve their frontages,
Among the proposals in the plan are streetscape enhancement including new wider pavements and cycling infrastructure on Flower Hill, a well-designed mixed-use development creating a new urban quarter for Abbeylands, a sustainable network of streets and pathways, connections with the adjacent River Blackwater and an attractive riverside park.
In recent months, Meath County Council had sought expressions of interest in a triangular 1.07 acre site earmarked for a variety of possible commercial development uses including health care, hotel / leisure, offices, nursing home, training centre and educational. This site had road frontage to Flower Hill, New Lane and Ratholdren Road.
Former resident, Richard Tyrrell, said there have been no workers on the ground, the buildings are in terrible condition, the home owners were promised grants to get the buildings repaired.
“Nobody seems to know anything about the regenerations current status,” he said.
“I just feel it is such a missed opportunity for Flower Hill. The €8 million will not go far enough for such a big area.
“The people living there can’t open their car doors to get a child out the car without the danger of getting the car door taken off, and beeping horns while they struggle with a child in their arms.” “There is not enough room on the road for two lanes of traffic with big trucks and the speed that are travelling at up the hill is very scary.”
A spokesperson for Meath County Council said funding has been provided via the Urban Regeneration Development Fund to improve the building frontage along the length of Flower Hill, commencing at Poolboy Bridge and ending at the Round O roundabout.
“Meath County Council has appointed an urban design consultant to prepare an itinerary of the improvement works to the building frontages. When the consultants complete this work, the property owners/management companies etc., will be invited to participate in the building frontage scheme which is 100 per cent funded.
“The Council will provide an update to the Navan MD Members closer to the time of contacting the property owners which is expected to be the end of Q1 2025.”