Department of Rural and Community Development Local Improvement Scheme

Westmeath County Council is inviting applications for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS Scheme) which is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The LIS Scheme enables the carrying out of improvement works on private/non-public roads.

Eligible road projects are those that involve the construction or improvement of non-public roads as follows:

• Road projects which provide access to parcels of land of which two or more are owned or occupied by different persons engaged in separate agricultural activities; or

• Road projects which provide access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons; or

• Road projects which provide access to at least one parcel of land owned or occupied by a person engaged in agricultural activities AND which separately provides access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for at least one other person.

Works can also be carried out on Amenity Roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountain access points or other tourist/heritage sites. Such roads may not account for more than 25% of the allocation provided to each Local Authority.

Schemes must have the consent of all affected landholders and a financial contribution of between 10% and 15% of the overall cost must be paid by the applicants prior to commencement of works on any project. The maximum amount that any beneficiary is required to contribute is capped at €1,200

Non-eligible road projects

The following road projects are not eligible for funding:

• A road which only benefits one landowner engaged in agriculture.

• A road serving only houses or buildings occupied or used by persons not engaged in agriculture.

• A road serving only Local Authority properties.

• A road leading to bogs developed commercially for large scale turf production.

Further information, full terms and conditions are available from our website at: Westmeath County Council (WCC) Our Services (westmeathcoco.ie)

Application forms are available from the Transportation Department: Tel 044 9332216 or 044/9332288. Email roads@westmeathcoco.ie

The closing date for submission of applications is March 1st, 2024.

Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 08/12/2023