News

Turley appointed to lead on an urban design and regeneration framework for Athlone

We are pleased to announce our appointment by Westmeath County Council to prepare an Urban Design and Regeneration Framework Plan (Framework) for Athlone, Ireland.

We are leading a multi-disciplinary team of specialists to develop the Framework, which is to be visionary, ambitious, and creative in the design of new propositions for Athlone’s urban core area as well as the emerging Tourism and Cultural Quarter to the west of the Town.

Senior Planner, León Murray, said:

“The project requires an integrated approach to deliver the Urban Design and Regeneration Framework Plan. Our multi-disciplinary service, including project management, town planning, Strategic Communications, Urban Design, Economics, Heritage and Sustainability will work in tandem with the wider team of specialists to prepare a Framework that will guide the regeneration and development of Athlone.”

The Framework will prioritise and plan for a ‘pipeline’ of projects which will reimagine streets and reopen the backlands to deliver a compact and smart growth-based approach to Athlone’s future regeneration.  It will connect and integrate green spaces with urban places while facilitating and supporting the inclusion of the Greenway. 

The Framework will form part of an integrated process alongside the preparation of the recently initiated joint Athlone Economic and Marketing Strategy and the Athlone Transport Strategy, all of which are being prepared to inform and underpin a robust and effective Joint Athlone Urban Area Plan in collaboration with Westmeath and Roscommon County Councils. 

In addition to informing the forthcoming Joint Athlone Urban Plan, the plan will act as a tool to inform and provide guidance on regeneration and placemaking project proposals (pipeline projects), based on resilient urban design, public realm and placemaking, architectural design and landscaping etc. 

Director, Seamus Donohoe, commented: 

“We are delighted to be working with Westmeath County Council again having previously been engaged with them to work on Masterplanning projects at Loughanaskin, Athlone and Canal Avenue Mullingar. This is an exciting project for the team that will map out Athlone's future development as growth centre for the Midlands.”

The project will involve coherent and thorough stakeholder engagement co-ordinated and overseen by our dedicated Strategic Communications team, drawing on the knowledge of local stakeholders and residents to ensure the Framework is reflective and representative of the needs and wants of Athlone Town and its surrounding communities.

Associate Director, Karen Power added:

“Key to the success of the project will be a rigorous and integrated approach to stakeholder engagement, drawing on the knowledge of WCC and others to further the innovative approach that will be embodied in the final design. As such, we see the interactive engagement of key stakeholders throughout the process.”

8 December 2021