Public urged to help shape Milford Town Centre First Plan

The draft version of the Milford Town Centre First Plan is now open for public consultation.

It is the result of what people said during the first stage of public consultation on this proposed development which took place between February 16 and  March 9 last, and translates the challenges identified and the ideas proposed into an ambitious yet realistic vision.

It has been prepared in line with the new National Policy ‘Town Centre First – A Policy Approach for Irish Towns’ and is regeneration and renewal focused with a view to strengthening the role, image, vibrancy, vitality and resilience of Milford town centre.

Welcoming the presentation of the Draft Town Centre First Plan for Milford, the Mayor of the Letterkenny - Milford Municipal District, Cllr Kevin Bradley, said he is delighted to see this continued focus on Milford and to bring a draft plan to the local community to get more feedback on the illustrative plan, actions and concepts that have been included.

"This is a significant opportunity for the people of Milford to identify the key priorities and regeneration opportunities for their town centre so I would strongly urge the whole community to engage with the consultation process over the next 4 weeks as it is crucial to hear the thoughts of the public to shape this vision for the future of Milford Town Centre”.

Donegal County Council's director of community development and planning services, Liam Ward said the publication of the plan is an important milestone for Milford as it is the first such plan in the county and will help guide and facilitate the future development of the town centre and will assist and support future applications for funding across the public, private and community sectors.

"The Draft Town Centre First Plan contains a number of key regeneration proposals that respond to the issues, challenges, needs and opportunities which have emerged from the process to date and if achieved will greatly enhance the significance of the town and its offering in the future,” he said

Jonny Stewart, project lead with GM Design Associates who are developing the plan in conjunction with the council added the community in Milford has already played a key role in how the Draft Town Centre First Plan has been shaped and developed.

"We would like to thank all those who have taken part so far. We encourage as many people as possible to give their feedback on the Draft Plan so that we can continue to tailor the vision towards the needs and aspirations of the local community, businesses and residents.”

Public consultation

The public consultation on the plan will open today, Monday, July 10 with the presentation of the draft plan on the project website: www.milfordtowncentrefirst.com and will close on Friday, August 4 at 4pm.

As a part of this second stage of the public consultation process, Donegal County Council has invited the public to come along to an open drop-in event that will take place on Wednesday, July 26 from 3pm to 8pm at the Milford Public Services Centre, Main Street, Milford.

It will be an opportunity to view the plan and to provide feedback to the consultants.

Submissions or observations on the Draft Milford Town Centre First Plan may be made between Monday, July 10 and Friday, August 4 by:

- visiting the project website www.milfordtowncentrefirst.com to submit feedback;

- attending the public drop-in event on Wednesday, July 26 and providing feedback;

- visit the project's Facebook page ‘Milford Town Centre First Plan;’

- E-mail: milford@g-m-design.co.uk;

- Telephone: +44 (028) 7035 6138; or

- Write to GM Design Associates, 22 Lodge Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, BT52 1NB.

The Draft Milford Town Centre First Plan will also be on public display during normal office hours from Monday 10th July to Friday 4th August 2023 at the following locations: Milford Public Services Centre, Main St., Milford;  Letterkenny Public Services Centre, Neil T. Blaney Road, Letterkenny at the reception area at Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford.

This project is funded through the Town and Village Renewal Fund programme. It is the first Phase of the Town Centre First Masterplan Initiative implemented by the Department of Rural and Community Development as a part of Our Rural Future.