Councillors get plan to revitalise much of Dublin's north inner city

AN ambitious framework plan aimed at revitalising a large part of Dublin's north inner city, stretching from O'Connell Street to Collins, Barracks, has been presented to city councillors.

HARP (Historic Area Rejuvenation Project) proposes a number of schemes to build on the indigenous strengths of the 260 acre area, such as the retail zone of Henry Street and Mary Street, the city markets, Smithfield and the National Museum at Collins Barracks.

These are the four "cells" identified by Mr Dick Gleeson, deputy city planning officer, which are to become the building blocks for the revival of the entire area. They are to be linked by a pedestrian route through the area.

Billed by Dublin Corporation as an "integrated urban renewal action scheme", the plan is designed to have a major impact on the economic and social regeneration of the area, such as the, development of Smithfield as a major civic space while preserving its monthly horse fair.

It addresses issues such as physical improvements to streets such as North King Street, remedial works to corporation housing schemes such as the blocks of flats in Queen Street, environmental improvements, conservation measures, enterprise and community development.

Among the specific proposals for North King Street, which was blighted for 40 years by a road widening scheme, and a base line study of Henrietta Street, Dublin's earliest Georgian street, with proposals for its restoration.

Part funding for the various proposals in the plan, estimated to cost at least Pounds 10 million, is being made available under the EU aided Urban and Village Renewal Programme. However, matching funds will have to be provided by the corporation.

This contrasts with the investment of more than Pounds 40 million Exchequer and EU funds in the development of Dublin's cultural quarter in Temple Bar, an area only one tenth the size of the much more diverse area covered by HARP, which includes several "islands of deprivation".

According to the corporation, the plan was prepared following consultation with interests in the area, including state and semi state bodies, commercial organisations and community groups, and its implementation is to be overseen by a representative, steering committee.

One local councillor, Mr Tony Gregory TD (lad), said he was, worried about whether the commitment to public participation was merely "lip service". He also expressed concern about the proposed demolition of Arran Quay Terrace to make way for LUAS, the light rail system.

The draft plan, which was produced some eight years after Smithfield's designation as a "rejuvenation area" in the 1987 draft city plan, is to be the subject of further consultation with local interests before it comes back to the city council in six weeks.