Minister to make announcement on Battery Heights regeneration this Friday

Housing Minister Micheal Finneran will be in Athlone this Friday to announce funding for the regeneration of Battery Heights. It"s expected that between €200,000 and €250,000 will by sanctioned by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for environmental improvement works throughout the entire Battery Heights area. The works are part of the Phase One plan submitted by Athlone Town Council for departmental approval earlier this year. The environmental works focus on the visual enhancement of the area through improvement works on laneways, footpaths and roads, as well as landscaping of green areas. A pedestrian bridge to facilitate access to the Roscommon Road and a new road into the McCarthy Community Centre will also be constructed. 'I am returning to Battery Heights because it was one of the first visits I made when I was made Housing Minister in 2008 and I went there along with Cllr Kieran Molloy. I asked them to draw up a development plan with a view to regeneration and now on Friday I will meet with the local group, local councillors and local community representatives,' said Minister Finneran to the Westmeath Independent yesterday (Tuesday). The Minister reiterated that he was 'fully committed' to the regeneration project and as well as announcing this funding for environmental works, he will also detail about other major aspects of the regeneration scheme. 'I"m interested in people"s living conditions and in particular those who are living in local authority housing estates, and anything I can do to improve that,' added Minister Finneran. According to the Athlone Area Director Barry Kehoe, total funding of between €300,000 and €500,000 is needed for Phase One of the Battery Heights project, which is a scaled-down plan of the original regeneration ambitions. The details of the new plan were cautiously welcomed by councillors at April"s monthly meeting. A new school building for the three Westside schools and a substantial amount of housing will now not be built due to the current lack of capital funding and housing demand. Dean Kelly NS will remain in its current location and possibly be extended. Plans for housing along the canal are also being shelved, however the Council hopes to build new and affordable housing in two earmarked zones, although this will be a longterm objective. Fianna Fáil Cllr Kieran Molloy welcomed the news of Minister Finneran"s visit this Friday as a very positive step. 'As Chairman of the Battery Heights group I welcome the news. It will be a start to something for the area,' he said. Deputy Mary O"Rourke also welcomed the news.