Four properties in the centre of Monaghan Town will be bought by the council under compulsory purchase orders. Monaghan County Council will buy the properties to make way for the €13.1m Backlands / South Dublin Street regeneration project. The major town centre renewal works got the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanála earlier in the week, two years after the Council applied for planning permission.
The new-look town centre will have a modern pedestrianised zone and civic space; retail and residential units. Spurred on by the potential the area around their derelict properties will have in the near future, or instead of having their building bought by compulsory purchase orders, the owners of other empty buildings have taken the decision to renovate them.
Monaghan Town businessman and councillor, Raymond Aughey, said some of those already turned around look "smashing":
