Wicklow Sinn Féin local election candidate for the West Wicklow area Aidan Kinsella has expressed his disappointment that Wicklow County Council have failed to carry out a local consultation to determine the best use of the former Bank of Ireland building in Carnew.
When the Bank of Ireland announced the closure of 88 of its branches across the state, including three branches in Wicklow, Carnew, Rathdrum and Tinahely, Sinn Féin made repeated representations to the Bank of Ireland at the behest of the community in Carnew that the former branch building in the town would be allowed to be used by the local community.
Wicklow County Council subsequently secured funding through the Town and Village Enhancement Scheme, which offers grants up to €400,000 in order to bring older buildings back into use as multi-purpose spaces in 2022. The total funding amounted to €49,999.50.
In response to queries from Sinn Féin, the Council have responded by saying that they will be pressing ahead with plans to house a remote working hub at the location. But have failed to engage in a meaningful engagement with the local community as to how the building could additionally be used by local people.
Despite Sinn Féin’s recommendations, the building has remained unused since the council acquired it last year. In that time, it could have benefited the community.
It’s unacceptable that having listened to the community and purchased the building that it remains unused, it needs to be put to use by the community.
Aidan Kinsella said:
“Following the announcement of funding, which totalled just under €50, 000 to carry out design, cost and planning for the refurbishment of the building to become a remote working hub, I and my colleague John Brady argued that there remained scope to allow for the development of a community space within the building.
We argued that the next step for the Council should have been to ensure that there is a comprehensive program of consultation with the local community to ensure that the building would be maximized to the full benefit of the whole community.
While I welcome that fact that Carnew will have a state-of-the-art employment hub in the town, which will help cut down on commuting for those who can transfer there, there is sufficient remaining space in the building which could be utilized by the community.
Despite Sinn Féin’s recommendation that every effort be made to allow the building to be put to use by the local community, the building has remained unused since the council acquired it last year. In that time, it could have benefited the community.
It’s unacceptable that having listened to the community and purchased the building that it remains unused, it needs to be put to use by the community.
With a little will and effort, the Council could have made a push to include this in the development. I am calling again on Wicklow County Council to consider their plans, and instead begin a process of consultation with locals as to how some space within the building could be put to use for the benefit of local community groups.”