Infrastructure will promote employment in Cookstown
By Aimee Walsh
NEW infrastructure and the regeneration of Cookstown Industrial Estate hopes to turn it into an ‘economic driver’.
Following a question regarding the improvement of the image of the area at a recent area committee meeting, South Dublin County Council say that secured funding and “proposed significant developments” will promote more employment opportunities and hopefully encourage businesses to move to the Industrial Estate.
New infrastructure will help improve employment opportunities in Cookstown
The council says that this will be achieved through the delivery of new infrastructure and the regeneration of the area, creating a “mix-use environment home to more intensive forms of economic activity, innovation and public services”.
Cookstown is a designated neighbourhood in the Tallaght Local Area Plan, (LAP) which provides a new urban structure and specific policies and objectives to support the area.
It is council policy to promote and support areas such as Cookstown and to upgrade these areas to create further opportunities for regeneration and employment.
The council said that: “It is very clear to see that the image of the Cookstown area is being actively improved and the objectives of the Tallaght LAP are being met.”
To date, a total funding of €14.8 million from the Urban Regeneration and Development fund (URDF) has been invested in the Cookstown and Central Tallaght area and a further €15 million URDF funding has recently been secured for development in the Cookstown area, with the construction of 133 apartments under the affordable apartment scheme at a cost of €30 million in the Cookstown neighbourhood.
A 3,000 sq. metre innovation and enterprise centre is also being developed in the area, and will be located on the Tallaght Corridor, adjacent to Cookstown neighbourhood and is said to be a “significant” addition to the area. The innovation centre has progressed to Part 8 planning and construction is due to commence later in 2021.
The council say that this addition, alongside other proposed significant developments will ensure employment opportunities will be attracted to the Industrial Estate.
