Repair scheme proposed for Ballina properties

Councillors in Ballina have passed a motion to develop a Streetscape Enhancement Programme for the North Mayo capital to improve the exterior appearance of prominent vacant and derelict buildings along the town’s main approach roads and thoroughfares.

Proposed by Cllr Marie-Therese Duffy, the scheme would involve a collaboration between the council, property owners and local community stakeholders to carry out repairs to exterior surfaces, repaint buildings and improve their overall appearance.

The Fine Gael councillor explained that the scheme would target buildings in “highly visible locations” on the main approach roads from the N26 and within the town centre.

In response, town architect Emmet O’Donnell noted that the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) for 2026 was opening for expressions of interest.

He said the Ballina Municipal District would endeavour to work with the Ballina Tidy Towns Committee to prepare a funding application, with the aim of facilitating the implementation of a Streetscape Enhancement Programme if successful.

Cllr Duffy welcomed the response and described the Streetscape Enhancement Programme as a “unique scheme” that would require considerable planning and consultation with all relevant community stakeholders.

Head of the Ballina Municipal District Anna Connor said the proposal offers an opportunity to work with Ballina Tidy Towns and the Ballina Chamber of Commerce.

She said an expression of interest can be submitted under the TVRS, but warned that it is a “competitive scheme”.

“We will be competing with other towns in the county to put forward a submission, and then it's a bigger competition nationally,” she said.

Ms Connor suggested that it might be possible to allocate some funding from the council’s own budget if an application was unsuccessful.

Other local authorities have introduced similar schemes. In July last year, Cork County Council launched a Streetscape Enhancement Scheme to improve the appearance of buildings along the main thoroughfares of towns across the county.

The scheme offered grants covering between 60% and 100% of material costs, as well as guidance on colour palettes, design, conserving traditional shopfronts, and using the Irish language in signage. Cork County Council allocated just under €200,000 under the scheme this year.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.