Launch of the Newtownmountkennedy Town Centre First Masterplan
At a meeting held on Tuesday, 8th December, Wicklow County Council, in collaboration with the Newtownmountkennedy Town Team launched the Newtownmountkennedy Town Centre First Masterplan. This Masterplan marks a significant milestone in advancing the national Town Centre First policy, which supports the renewal and regeneration of towns across Ireland.
The appointed consultants, ACT – Accelerating Change Together, led the Town Centre First process. Over recent months, ACT worked closely with Wicklow County Council, the Town Team, local residents, businesses and key stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the future of Newtownmountkennedy.
As part of this work, three public consultation events were held, allowing residents, business owners, community groups and local representatives to contribute their ideas. This strong level of engagement reflects the core principles of the Town Centre First policy, which places community participation and local leadership at the centre of decision-making.
The Masterplan sets out a series of strategic actions focused on public realm enhancement, active travel and mobility, economic development, environmental resilience and community facilities. It provides a clear roadmap for the sustainable development of the town in the years ahead.
At the heart of the plan are five interconnected themes: Mobility, Public Realm, Nature Assets and Green Spaces, Community Services, and Employment and Commerce. Each theme plays an important role in shaping a town that is vibrant, resilient and future-ready, and together they form a coherent strategy for delivering positive change.
The Newtownmountkennedy Town Centre First Masterplan represents a shared community vision for a resilient, compact and inclusive town. Through collaboration, creativity and targeted investment, it outlines a thoughtful and collaborative plan to deliver a greener, more vibrant, resilient and community-centred town for current and future generations.
This Masterplan is funded through the 2024 Town Centre First – Suite of Supports, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG). At the launch, Mairead Hunt, Town Centre First National Coordinator, noted that more than 50% of identified Town Centre First projects have been completed or are currently in progress, representing over €100 million in investment since the policy’s inception in 2022.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Municipal District, Cllr. Graham Richmond, commented, “Town Centre First is about ensuring that our towns remain vibrant, accessible and thriving places to live, work and visit. The Newtownmoutkennedy Masterplan is an excellent example of how community input and evidence – based planning can come together to deliver a long – term vision for a growing town.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’ Gorman, welcomed the publication of the plan, noting, “This Masterplan provides a clear and practical framework to guide future investment in Newtownmountkennedy. Through the Town Centre First approach, we can enhance public spaces, strengthen local business activity and improve connectivity in a way that reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.”
Chairperson of the Newtownmountkennedy Town Team, Jen Quinn, remarked, “This Masterplan 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.”
Wicklow County Council and the Newtownmountkennedy Town Team extends their appreciation to all who participated in the consultation process and to ACT – Accelerating Change Together – for their contribution to the development of this important plan.
The Newtownmountkennedy Town Centre First Masterplan can be viewed or downloaded here.