Masterplan for Tullamore Harbour to be devised
A plan to unlock the potential of Tullamore's hidden jewel, the Grand Canal Harbour, is to be commissioned – with a scaled-down version of Dublin's Grand Canal Dock among the potential development opportunities to be explored.
Offaly County Council, in partnership with Waterways Ireland, is currently advertising for consultants to prepare a plan to “unlock the unique opportunity to redevelop and revitalise the Grand Canal Harbour area of Tullamore”.
Consultants are being asked to appraise development options for the harbour, and to provide a masterplan for the site, subject to a preferred development option being agreed.
The move comes following the inclusion of work on the masterplan among a bundle of Tullamore projects approved for some €2.25m funding from the national Urban Regeneration and Development Fund in 2020.
The council is now seeking consultants to conclude the plan by Christmas, with April 22 the deadline for tenders.
The selected consultants will also be encouraged to consider the possibility of a high-density mixed-use waterside development scheme for the harbour area, or the creation of a “compelling destination” area including cafés, restaurants and water sports facilities, visitor experiences, and a day and night-time economy.
It has also been revealed that Waterways Ireland is planning to vacate the site by relocating its operational depot at the harbour to a new greenfield site.
Waterways Ireland and Offaly County Council say this provides a unique opportunity to ensure that the harbour becomes “an integral part of the town and works as an economic generator”.
The council and Waterways Ireland say they have long identified the harbour area as having “development potential to become a compelling waterfront space for residents, citizens, visitors, and enterprises, accessible by water, cycling, and walking.”
They said the integration of such facilities into the town of Tullamore and the provision of required linkages to the town will be key to a successful proposal.
It's envisaged that the site could be opened up to the public through pedestrian entrances, canal bank walkways and seating.
The overall site area of Grand Canal Harbour, Tullamore including the land and water is circa 3.7 acres, with some 1.2 acres of the site developable with the remainder comprising the harbour, canal and the canal banks.
The Grand Canal Harbour site has been identified as an Opportunity Site and a site for consideration for taller buildings in the current Offaly County Development plan.