Breathing new life into Navan's 'forgotten' street... Action sought to rejuvenate Academy St

An urban regeneration scheme for Navan's Academy Street would bring life back into a street that is currently bordering on dereliction, last week's meeting of Navan Municipal Council heard.

Cllr John Duffy called for some kind of urban renewal scheme to improve the area “with the objective of developing a proper neighbourhood retail offering given the significant developments now taking place in that area, namely Baker Hall, Knockboyne, together with two schools.”

“The council need to takes more of an interest in that area as it is bordering on dereliction. It used to be a busy spot with about ten businesses operating there and there are four now.

When Circular Road was developed, it cut Academy Street off from the rest of the town. Now with the new movement of traffic it is even more isolated. With the reversal of traffic, there is no longer traffic coming from Bridge Street into Academy Street and if you are going down Circular Road, you can no longer turn right into it.

“It has not been included on any of the Navan 2030 works. We cannot ignore that area. I don't know what the criteria is for urban renewal but it is an area that warrants come attention.

“Something needs to happen to encourage business activity, some kind of incentive. With the development of Baker Hall and Knockboyne House, as well as the two schools, it should attract footfall.

“If we don't put some sort of scheme together, the net result will see it become derelict and there will be less encouragement to set up business there.

“I think we need the council to have a look at it,” he said.

Cllr Adenuga suggested the council do a survey of what people think is needed in that area.

Cllr Emer Tóibín said it was a really good proposal. “I grew up in Bridge Street and there were a lot more retail outlets on Academy Street, when I was younger. Further development does warrant a really good assessment.”

Cllr Alan Lawes supported the motion. “There are a few businesses on that street and I would like to support them,” he said.

Cllr Francis Deane said some sort of incentive was needed to would put a bit of life onto the street

The Mayor, Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons recalled when that when Kennedy Road and Place were developed there were grants and reduction of rates for people to develop the backs of their premises.

“We have a scheme now on Flower Hill. This is what we should be looking at next. Brews Hill is lucky enough to have been regenerated, probably because Aldi is there. With the development of Baker Hall, maybe supply and demand will see businesses set up there. This is something we should be looking at,” he said.

Cllr Duffy was told that while Meath County Council had no specific objectives for an Urban Renewal programme for Academy Street, the zoning of lands in the County Development Plan for Academy Street include lands zoned for commercial town centre and mixed use development.

Director of Services, Martin Murray said the council has plans for the area. “The planning for Baker Hall is granted, but there is no retail there. If you take the section of Academy Street from the entrance to Baker Hall to the Five Province monument, there is a very clear plan for that in respect of an enhanced pedestrian and cycleway.

“The railway line defines the street. One end is purely residential and you have commercial premises at the other.”

Mr Murray said there are proposed schemes to provide linkages to the area. Architects have been engaged to look at permeability from the old St Pats development to the town side of the railway bridge.