Building costs could hit regeneration projects, cllrs fear

The huge increase in the cost of building materials in the last year could lead to local regeneration and Just Transition projects being scaled back, local councillors fear.

Speaking at the October meeting of MKMD after they received an update from senior engineer Blathnaid Cox, a number of councillors expressed frustration at the length of time that it is taking for regeneration projects in Mullingar, Kinnegad and Castlepollard to reach the construction phase.

Cllr Denis Leonard noted that funding the €8.6m regeneration project planned for Kinnegad, which includes a new library and education and training centre, a new town park and community facilities, was first announced in February 2019 and that a brick hasn’t been laid yet.

While acknowledging that multi-million euro projects take time, he said that for a town like Kinnegad, which has a population of more than 3,000 but doesn’t have library, community hall or town park, the process should be expedited.

Cllr John Shaw said that he too had concerns about the length of time it takes projects to get to the construction phase and is “fearful” of the impact that inflation will have.

Cllr Emily Wallace wondered if there would be an opportunity to apply for “top-up funding” to prevent the Kinnegad regeneration project having to be scaled back.

Cllr Paddy Hill and Cllr Frank McDermott both said the regeneration plans for Castlepollard could not be “put on the hind leg” at the expense of projects in larger towns.

Cllr Mick Dollard said that the council had already invested significantly on preliminary plans for the regeneration of Blackhall and Canal View and hopes that both projects will proceed as initially planned.

Mayor of MKMD, Cllr Hazel Smyth, said that funding should be made available to cover the costs of rising inflation. Ms Cox said that she understood the councillors’ frustration, but that when projects are initially announced, the funding has only been approved in principal.

The contracts for the new library in Kinnegad library are due to be awarded at the end of the month. While “inflation is an issue”, she said that she hoped the department will funding any additional costs. She also said that she hoped that “people will be on the ground” in Kinnegad before the end of the year.

Referring to larger, “master plan” projects such as Blackhall, they could take between five and 10 years to be completed, given their scale.

Regeneration Projects Update

Blackhall Urban Generation, Mullingar

The project evolution plan is currently being updated, while work on the project implementation plan and soft market testing are “ongoing”.

Canal Avenue and Environs Regeneration Project, Mullingar

The project evolution plan is being updated, while work is ongoing on the preliminary business case.

The draft master plan is being written up, while work is ongoing on land acquisition.

The upcoming tasks, include engagement with landowners/residents and publishing the master plan in the second quarter of next year.

Kinnegad Rural Regeneration Project

The ongoing tasks include the updating of the project execution plan, the tendering process and work on the preliminary design for the park.

The park planning process is set to be begin early next year.

Kinnegad Just Transition Enterprise Hub

Ongoing tasks: consultant procurement and updating the project execution plan.

Castlepollard Regeneration Project

The council is “awaiting funding application outcomes”.