Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick officially launched the Banagher Marina & Environ’s Masterplan at Crank House, Banagher on Friday 12th April, 2024.
The Marina Masterplan was funded through the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund in partnership with Offaly County Council and sets out a vision to enhance the marina to improve the built fabric, waterway access and green infrastructure. The plan will act as a catalyst to drive future regeneration projects to sustain tourism and improve the social and economic development of Banagher.
The Masterplan was informed by a successful steering group comprising of community, business, stakeholder representatives and Offaly County Council led by consultants PLACE+, Urbanism Ltd and CHL and Associates Ltd. Public consultation events were also held throughout the process.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney stated that “Banagher is a key location in the context of the Shannon Tourism Masterplan and it is Offaly County Council’s vision to utilise and enhance the unique character and location of the Banagher Marina and Environs to create a walkable, attractive and active area, better linked to the wider town centre and to provide new civic, residential, amenity and recreational assets.”
In his address, Cathaoirleach Fitzpatrick stated, “This plan, which is a comprehensive masterplan for Banagher, is the culmination of many months of consultation and planning and will, in time, have an extremely positive impact in the area from an economic, social and environmental perspective”.
The Masterplan of Banagher Marina and Environs is the foundation of a larger project for the regeneration of Banagher. The design development of the Marina public realm spaces can now progress based on the concepts identified in the Master Plan with the support of this fund. Also a Conservation Master Plan, soon to commence, for the Royal Shannon Hotel, a long-term vacant property, which was recently purchased by Offaly County Council under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund.
A copy of the Masterplan can be viewed or downloaded from Offaly County Council website at the link below: https://www.offaly.ie/banagher-marina-environs-masterplan-2/
(Offaly County Council)
