1. An attractive 21st century town that enables smart living and
smart ageing – The second largest town in Co Meath
Ashbourne to be a 21st century Digital Town on its 200 birthday
Dr Ambrose McLoughlin

2. Briefing on Ashbourne 2016-2020
Meath County Councillors, members of Ashbourne Municipal District Council
including Chairperson Cllr Alan Tobin
Local Deputies for the constituency of Meath East
Deputy Thomas Byrne FF Frontbench Spokesperson on Education
Deputy Regina Doherty FG Minister and Government Chief Whip
Deputy Helen McEntee Minister with responsibility for Mental Health and Older
People

3.  83% of the citizens of Ashbourne commute on a daily basis
 The retail sector in Ashbourne has been under continuous pressure since the
economic crisis and is recovering very slowly
 Approximately 40 businesses have closed in Killegland Street in the last 10 years
 Killegland Street continues to have major difficulties sustaining viable businesses
 Killegland St and Declan Street have not been taken in charge by Meath County
Council even though some enterprises are there over 12 years
 The population of Ashbourne continues to grow
 It is not possible to market Ashbourne as an entity until solutions are found for key
challenges

4.  We welcome the commitment by Meath County Council to improve Ashbourne
 We welcome the leadership of Meath Chambers and will work with them
 We very much welcome the important major refurbishment of Frederick Street
and the €24m now being invested in our new schools
 We welcome the commitment to incrementally improve other streets and in
particular the development of the Linear Park
 We welcome and recognise the important contribution of the Municipal District
Council/Local TDs/Local Ministers
 We welcome and are hugely supportive of the major new foreign investors coming
to South County Meath
 We welcome collaboration in particular with our sister towns Ratoath,
Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne

5.  Great opportunity to develop a Vision for the Town and District
 Great opportunity to design and develop a 21st century town in the context of a
new 21st Century City development for South County Meath
 Population of Ashbourne will grow exponentially- Thousands of attractively
priced houses will be built- There are 3-4 major projects already underway in the
town
 To encourage SME’s to locate to Ashbourne
 To build on the success of Tayto Park – 750,000 visitors per annum
 To develop Ashbourne as part of the Boyne Valley as a “Go to” retail destination
 To develop Ashbourne as a quality hospitality location
 To grow the economic and social viability and sustainability of Ashbourne

6.  Street identification/ designation and signage is very poor or non-existent
 Street mapping is essential
 Advertising hoardings are primitive and basic
 Signage at the Business Parks is either non-existent or of a poor quality
 Entry and exit signage for the town needs to be upgraded
 A strategy for traffic control and parking control is badly needed
 A quality bus terminus in Ashbourne linked to a park and ride facility will assist
shoppers coming to the Town
 Disability parking and taxi ranks should be reviewed
 Modern well managed recycling facility urgently required

7.  Creating a new Town Centre - a focal point for the town
 Upgrading the quality of advertising units across the town
 Upgrading and improving the appearance and aesthetics of Killegland Street and
Declan Street
 Connecting Frederick Street and Killegland Street/Declan Street
 At least 2 pedestrian boulevards proposed – a consensus has emerged via AIB car park
and via the back of the Stags Head and back of the Church
 Creating an aesthetic town theme park as the entry point for the “Stags Head
pedestrian way” on the vacant strip opposite Dunne's stores and in front of Vincent De
Paul shop and Massimo's restaurant
 A 21st century digital town building and museum to showcase the history and heritage
of the town

8.  €50k to €250k estimates over 2 years depending on choices and selections made
for signage, mapping and advertising
 €500k to €1m estimates for street connectivity depending on choices and
engineering solutions selected.
 The receiver PWC and KBC Bank will be major beneficiaries
 Meath County Council will be major beneficiaries
 The services of an experienced Urban Planner /Architect will be essential
 The Retail Park needs to be viewed as having possibilities for a hotel,a satellite
centre for a University, an office park and or a park and ride facility
 The vacant retail outlets on Killegland and Declan Street should be refurbished
and brought to the market as office accommodation for SMEs and professional
services

9.  Ashbourne will thrive if priority is given by Meath Council and other agencies to
the Strategic Urban Design of the town and district
 Consultation, public awareness and networking on local area planning, retail
planning and best practice pays dividends
 Professional architects and town planners add major value and support a
collaborative approach
 Creating Living Streets for citizens is crucial to quality of life innovation and
future economic and social viability
 Designing a modern attractive town with aesthetic features enhances the living
environment
 Effective and strong collective political leadership will drive and influence
development

10.  Meetings with Meath County Chief Executive and senior officials of Meath County
Council and other agencies are essential to progress
 Action Plan and realistic timetables for measuring progress on implementation
 The assignment of an Architect/Town Planner to Ashbourne will be indicative of a
firm commitment to aesthetic Urban Design and quality of life in Ashbourne
 Attractive aesthetic signage and advertising, effective urban planning to design
and shape modern attractive retail and professional service offerings.
 Street design and connectivity with a Town Centre feature essential
 Fixing small problems will add credibility, build confidence, encourage investment
enhance the perception of Ashbourne and District as the major commercial centre
in South Meath