Dublin City Council has announced plans for a new urban regeneration scheme for the Liberties area of the city’s inner city, to be developed in close consultation with the local community.

A regeneration framework plan for the area will be implemented and will be extended from St James' Hospital to the west and Francis Street to the east. The northern boundary is Thomas Street and the southern boundary in Cork Street.

A majority of the investment will come from public funding and private investors, with the City Council releasing land in return for new social housing and other community amenities and facilities.

"Instead of us presenting the community with a draft scheme and asking for their views, the City Council and the community will work together to develop a vision for the area," says John Tierney, Dublin City Manager. "This approach is already working well in Ballymun and gives the community the opportunity to plan the future they want for their area. The Liberties project will look at new housing opportunities for the area and will consider the appropriateness of demolition and new build of some of the City’s own apartment blocks, but only if this is the best way of providing new modern and bigger apartments for our tenants."

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Evelyn Hanlon who formerly worked on the Ballymun Regeneration project has been assigned by Dublin City Council project manage this new and important regeneration project.

"This historic area has seen a lot of development - both private and public - recent years and further development is already underway, including the new Luas line from Lucan which is expected to go through the area on its way to St Stephen’s Green to connect the two lines," Evelyn Hanlon said.

The City Council has appointed John Thompson and Partners (JTP), a firm of architects, urban designers and community planners to work with the local stakeholders and residents to develop the vision for the future. The vision will be included in a Framework Plan for the area and will help to form the basis for regeneration

(JM)