The Sustainable Swords project has moved to the next phase of public consultation. They are looking for your opinion on the future of the county town. To help you understand what is going on I have prepared a quick FAQ
So what is the Sustainable Swords project?
It’s a project designed to set out the future of the town over the coming years. It aims to futureproof the town, plan for more sustainable ways of getting around, develop better public spaces, enhance the local economy and create a more inclusive, accessible, child-friendly and healthy urban environment.
Okay but what does that mean in the real world?
Well, that’s where you come in. The project team have prepared an emerging themes document which sets out come areas where the project will focus – now they want to hear from you on how these things can be delivered, IRL.
Will this mean Swords gets more investment?
Yes. Swords has been living on a promise for a long time. The Cultural Quarter has been promised for nearly two decades now (it started amazingly in 2002) and the likes of the Ward River Valley regional park project has been promised for over six years now. Thankfully the Cultural Quarter is now at the design phase and the regional park project is expected to go to public consultation early next year. What Sustainable Swords will do is tie the existing projects together with a wider vision for the town and prepare some new projects that the council can then seek further funding for. This is really important because, as part of the government’s commitment around developing population centres, towns like Swords can secure substantial funding from national government. We have seen how earlier this year Balbriggan secured €24.4m under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF). Swords could be in line for similar investment if we have a clear and well worked out vision for how to spend it – that’s what Sustainable Swords aims to do.
Can I see the emerging themes document?
Yes.
What other documents have been prepared so far?
How can I get involved?
A webinar explaining the project will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, 12 October 2021. Register now to reserve your place.
You can also make a submission to the consultation which will run until the 26th of October. Click here to go to the submission page.
