Community's input to be sought as council to draw up 'Place Plan' for Rathfriland

A COUNCIL 'Place Plan' is to be developed, with the input of the local community, to map out the future development of Rathfriland.

The Place Plan initiative was approved at last Wednesday evening's meeting of the ABC (Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon) Council's Governance, Resources and Strategy Committee, with the ambition of supporting economic development in the town.

The proposal was first made by Alliance Party Councillor, Joy Ferguson in February 2024 to support smaller towns with high rates of vacancy and dereliction.

It is expected that the first phase of plans will be delivered by the council in the next 12 to 18 months.

Speaking to The Outlook, Councillor Ferguson said: "When I was first elected in 2023, I recognised the need of smaller towns to achieve a co-ordinated approach to regeneration and development, particularly given the high level of dereliction and vacancy rates in some areas.

"In February 2024, I brought a proposal to council to support these areas through the implementation of place plans. The approved plan for Rathfriland will facilitate the co-ordination of ideas from community, voluntary, sporting and business organisations to kick start regeneration in a strategic way and from an all-community perspective, activating private and public funding streams to deliver on the ground investment.

"The plans allow for regeneration choices that are fully representative with the redirection of funds to the right solution."

Place Plans have already been delivered for Banbridge and Dromore. A rigorous process to select which town would receive a Place Plan was presented to councillors, with Rathfriland identified as a priority area.