Ardee 2040 Regeneration Plans Lodged with National Board
By ArdeePost Reporter
Louth County Council Lodges Plans for Ardee 2040 Regeneration
Louth County Council has formally lodged its planning application with An Bord Coimisiún (formerly An Bord Pleanála) for the proposed Ardee 2040 Regeneration Project, a wide-ranging public realm and community infrastructure initiative aimed at supporting regeneration, compact growth and sustainable development in Ardee town.
The ambitious project seeks to transform key areas of the town through improved streetscapes, upgraded public spaces, enhanced walking and cycling infrastructure, and new recreational and community facilities.
Project Backed by Project Ireland 2040 Funding
The Ardee 2040 Regeneration Project has been commissioned by Louth County Council and is being led by its Regeneration and Development Team. It is funded through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), a flagship initiative under Project Ireland 2040, with match funding provided by the local authority.
According to the Planning Statement submitted with the application, the project is designed to deliver high-quality placemaking outcomes that will strengthen Ardee’s role as a vibrant and sustainable town centre.
Four Key Character Areas Identified
The regeneration proposals focus on the redevelopment of four distinct character areas within Ardee:
- Character Area 1 – Main Street (including Ash Walk)
- Character Area 2 – Old Railway Lands
- Character Area 3 – Amenity Lands
- Character Area 4 – Woodland Walk
Preliminary, non-statutory public engagement and consultation were carried out by Louth County Council in June and July 2021, informing the preparation of a masterplan for the regeneration of these areas.
Main Street and Ash Walk Public Realm Upgrades
The proposals for Main Street and Ash Walk represent a major overhaul of the town’s core streetscape and transport infrastructure. Planned works include:
- Public realm improvements such as new hard and soft landscaping, tree planting, street furniture, pedestrian connections, cycle parking and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS)
- Road and junction upgrades, including realignment of the Golf Links Road / N2 junction, raised junctions, shared surface treatments and revised parking layouts
- New pedestrian crossings, bus stop shelters, public lighting, road signage and electric vehicle charging points
- Construction of segregated cycle lanes along Main Street (N2), including one-way and two-way bidirectional lanes
- Resurfacing works to Bridge Street Bridge, a protected structure
- Alterations to the car park at Ardee Library, creating a new public plaza while retaining the Sir Frederick Foster Memorial Fountain, a scheduled monument
- Extension of Ash Walk Road by approximately 60 metres, along with junction upgrades to improve access to the SuperValu car park and service areas
Old Railway Lands to Become Community Park
The Old Railway Lands are proposed to be transformed into a lively and accessible community park designed to enhance connectivity across Ardee and provide a welcoming public gathering space.
Planned works include:
- Development of a community park with hard and soft landscaping, allotments and an equipped children’s playground
- Retention of remnant railway infrastructure as a raised seating and viewing platform
- New public realm features including surfaces, kerbing, lighting, signage and street furniture
- A new vehicular access from O’Carroll Street, with associated car parking
- Retention and refurbishment of the existing historic pillars at the O’Carroll Street entrance, with controlled access for pedestrians and maintenance vehicles
Amenity Lands to Deliver Sports and Recreation Hub
The proposals for Character Area 3 – Amenity Lands focus on the creation of a new community sports and recreation hub, including:
- A 200-metre grass running track with associated floodlighting
- A bowling green with boundary fencing
- Hard and soft landscaped areas, drainage swales and public realm upgrades
- Construction of a single-storey sports pavilion
- New access roads, public car parking, off-road cycle lanes and pedestrian links
- Retention of pedestrian connections to the Old Railway Walk and surrounding road network
Woodland Walk to Link North and South Ardee
The Woodland Walk project aims to create a continuous north–south walking route through Ardee, linking the Fairgreen, HSE lands, Ash Walk and the rear of Ardee Day Care Centre.
Works include resurfacing the existing woodland paths east of St Joseph’s Hospital and extending the route to connect with the proposed Ash Walk road extension.
A cellular confinement system will be used to protect tree roots, ensuring minimal environmental impact while providing a stable, load-bearing surface for walkers.
Compliance with Planning and Development Policies
In its Planning Statement, Louth County Council states that the supporting reports demonstrate compliance with the Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027, the National Planning Framework, and relevant policies on regeneration, design quality, heritage conservation, transport, sustainability and environmental protection.
The council says the Ardee 2040 Regeneration Project will deliver a high-quality public realm that revitalises key sites, increases footfall, boosts local expenditure and enhances the overall vitality of Ardee town. improve patient flow across the hospital group.
