Compact Growth, Key Development Area / Regeneration

The sustainable growth of compact urban settlements is a top priority of the national planning policy, with emphasis on the regeneration and repopulation of urban cores and built-up areas. This approach focuses on maximizing the use of infill, vacant and underutilized sites and of buildings that are suitable and capable of re-use to provide housing, amenities, jobs and services. The potential exists for regeneration within the town core particularly the former Imperial Hotel, the old Military Barracks as well as significant tracts of land directly adjacent to the main streets have the potential to bring about transformative change in Castlebar. The provisions of the new LAP must consider the cumulative impacts of regeneration and redevelopment of major sites in tandem and ensure that commensurate social, community and cultural facilities are provided to both facilitate and address projected population growth.

Questions to consider

Q. Where in Castlebar should additional population and economic growth be focused?

Q. Where are the key opportunity sites suitable for (re)development in Castlebar?

Q. How can we encourage the reuse of vacant properties and address dereliction to revitalise the town centre so that they are vibrant, welcoming, attractive places to live and work in, visit and shop?