Motion from Councillor Felim Gurn:
Manorhamilton is one of the only towns in Leitrim that does not have a river walk. Can the Council look at the possibility of creating a river walk from Hamilton’s Castle down to the Courthouse area within the town and investigate possible funding streams to progress such a project.
Minutes:
"Manorhamilton is one of the only towns in Leitrim that does not have a river walk. Can the Council look at the possibility of creating a river walk from Hamilton’s Castle down to the Courthouse area within the town and investigate possible funding streams to progress such a project."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"If a proposal is put forward by a local community group for such a project it could then be examined as a potential project possibly under the Town and village funding scheme. For any such projects issues such as land ownership/leases/planning permissions would all have to be in place if required and in line with the terms and conditions of the funding stream available at the time."
Cllr Felim Gurn outlined that a river walk would be a large project for a community group to undertake as there would be landownership and planning permission issues to be overcome. He added it is difficult for community groups to provide match funding and enquired if the Local Authority could develop this project.
Cllr Justin Warnock agreed with Cllr Gurn that the Local Authority should take the lead on such a project. He advised it is very difficult for community groups to raise the funds required for match funding.
Cllr Mary Bohan advised the terms of the various funding streams require community groups to make the application for funding, not the Local Authority.
Cllr Frank Dolan supported the motion stating such a project would be of benefit to Manorhamilton.
Ms Mary Quinn reiterated the requirement for community groups to lead on projects of this nature in order to comply with funding requirements and advised the matter could be reviewed in terms of technical support.
Ms Marie Mulligan advised such a project would require access through private lands and any funding becoming available would not cover land acquisition.