PLANS FOR OMAGH BOMB SITE AT ADVANCED STAGE
Plans for Omagh bomb site at advanced stage
Work due to start in coming months.
WORK on the reconstruction of Omagh's Market Street is due to get underway within the next few months as detailed plans on the street's regeneration near completion, the district council revealed this week.
News of the imminent redevelopment has been welcomed by Omagh Traders' Association and the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry. And the finished design is being seen as a "monument" to all those who perished in last August's bomb.
The council's chief client services officer, Mr. Kevin O'Gara, said yesterday (Wednesday) that many of the plans for the street had been finalised, and were in the process of being prepared for submission for statutory approval.
Three weeks ago, the Heritage Lottery Fund confirmed that it was approving a grant of �900,000 under its Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme to assist in the repair of buildings in the area, and for the reinstatement of architectural features.
Outline planning permission has already been sought for a large section of the bomb site adjacent to the river. This will include commercial development and a 'community house', to offer solace and support.
And Mr. O'Gara said reconstruction work on the sites would begin in the coming months.
He went on to say that, under the auspices of Omagh Renewal and Beyond, a steering group had been formed to assist with the redevelopment process.
The group, 'Omagh Heritage Initiative', has representation from the council, the community sector, the traders' association, the chamber of commerce, Omagh District Partnership, and statutory bodies.
The objective of the steering group was to assist with targeting funding to help with the reconstruction of Omagh, and the coordination of the redevelopment of Market Street, Mr. O'Gara said.
He added that the group was pleased at the announcement by the Heritage Lottery Fund confirming that stage two of the submission for funding had been approved.
"The grant of �900,000 is aimed at achieving the highest possible architectural standards in both the restoration of existing buildings and in the new-build schemes, taking into account the conservation area requirements," he said.
And he added that further funding was in the pipeline.
"There will continue to be ongoing consultations with all interested parties in order to ensure that the highest quality of design and layout is achieved," Mr. O'Gara said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the traders' association, Mr. Roy Allen, said the redevelopment of the street would be a major step towards getting back to normality.
"We lost a large shopping area in the town, and this redevelopment should help bring back the strong trading stance we used to have," he said.
"We have all been waiting with bated breath for things to start happening, and the reconstruction is actually getting underway in double-quick time.
"Everyone has come on board, including the landowners and shop owners, and a whole new design has been developed."
Mr. Allen added: "The finished product is going to be in itself a monument to the people of Omagh, and to all those who perished in Market Street last year."
Mr. Michael Gaine, president of Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also welcomed the news that the plans for the bombed street were at an advanced stage.
"We have been keeping the pressure on for the last while to get things moving forward and for the plans to be sorted out, but have been very aware of the sensitivities involved," he said.
He said the chamber had had several meetings with the council and other bodies involved, and was pleased that local people would now be made aware that the rebuilding of Market Street was soon to get underway.
"That was one of our main concerns that the local community should be told what was happening. You cannot keep people in the dark," he said.
"We were very conscious of the. fact that the ordinary person was probably thinking there was no movement, and that Omagh was going to be like other places, where nothing was rebuilt for years.
"This will be welcome news for local people, and should be a great boost to the town," he said.
Work due to start in coming months.
WORK on the reconstruction of Omagh's Market Street is due to get underway within the next few months as detailed plans on the street's regeneration near completion, the district council revealed this week.
News of the imminent redevelopment has been welcomed by Omagh Traders' Association and the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry. And the finished design is being seen as a "monument" to all those who perished in last August's bomb.
The council's chief client services officer, Mr. Kevin O'Gara, said yesterday (Wednesday) that many of the plans for the street had been finalised, and were in the process of being prepared for submission for statutory approval.
Three weeks ago, the Heritage Lottery Fund confirmed that it was approving a grant of �900,000 under its Townscape Heritage Initiative Scheme to assist in the repair of buildings in the area, and for the reinstatement of architectural features.
Outline planning permission has already been sought for a large section of the bomb site adjacent to the river. This will include commercial development and a 'community house', to offer solace and support.
And Mr. O'Gara said reconstruction work on the sites would begin in the coming months.
He went on to say that, under the auspices of Omagh Renewal and Beyond, a steering group had been formed to assist with the redevelopment process.
The group, 'Omagh Heritage Initiative', has representation from the council, the community sector, the traders' association, the chamber of commerce, Omagh District Partnership, and statutory bodies.
The objective of the steering group was to assist with targeting funding to help with the reconstruction of Omagh, and the coordination of the redevelopment of Market Street, Mr. O'Gara said.
He added that the group was pleased at the announcement by the Heritage Lottery Fund confirming that stage two of the submission for funding had been approved.
"The grant of �900,000 is aimed at achieving the highest possible architectural standards in both the restoration of existing buildings and in the new-build schemes, taking into account the conservation area requirements," he said.
And he added that further funding was in the pipeline.
"There will continue to be ongoing consultations with all interested parties in order to ensure that the highest quality of design and layout is achieved," Mr. O'Gara said.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the traders' association, Mr. Roy Allen, said the redevelopment of the street would be a major step towards getting back to normality.
"We lost a large shopping area in the town, and this redevelopment should help bring back the strong trading stance we used to have," he said.
"We have all been waiting with bated breath for things to start happening, and the reconstruction is actually getting underway in double-quick time.
"Everyone has come on board, including the landowners and shop owners, and a whole new design has been developed."
Mr. Allen added: "The finished product is going to be in itself a monument to the people of Omagh, and to all those who perished in Market Street last year."
Mr. Michael Gaine, president of Omagh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also welcomed the news that the plans for the bombed street were at an advanced stage.
"We have been keeping the pressure on for the last while to get things moving forward and for the plans to be sorted out, but have been very aware of the sensitivities involved," he said.
He said the chamber had had several meetings with the council and other bodies involved, and was pleased that local people would now be made aware that the rebuilding of Market Street was soon to get underway.
"That was one of our main concerns that the local community should be told what was happening. You cannot keep people in the dark," he said.
"We were very conscious of the. fact that the ordinary person was probably thinking there was no movement, and that Omagh was going to be like other places, where nothing was rebuilt for years.
"This will be welcome news for local people, and should be a great boost to the town," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1340
Published Date: 22-Apr-99
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