An application to regenerate a West Waterford town has been refused.

Waterford City and County Council made an application to the government’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for Cappoquin but with no success.

Feedback from the Department of Rural and Community Development has been requested on the decision.

Local Labour councillor John Pratt says he’s dumbfounded that the application failed.

“This is an absolutely appalling decision.

“I know that a lot of work has gone on in the background. I lot of money was spent on the application.”

“What are the chances of us getting [that decision] changed?

“Of all the places in the county, Cappoquin is in big need of this funding.

“I know that a €1million donation was promised so that we could get the €4million funding from the Department. It’s very disappointing that it was refused.”

The council’s Head of Enterprise Riche Walsh says a reviewed application will be submitted.

“It was really disappointing, it was a strong application.”

He added that Cappoquin is very deserving of regeneration.

“We’ve got some feedback at an executive level, we probably need more feedback at a political level.

“We’re told that there will be a call for further applications at the end of April and we have full intentions that this will be reviewed and that this will be successful when it’s resubmitted.”

He says the council intends on taking advantage of government roadshows over the coming months.

“There will be a reapplication and it will be more powerful this time around.

“We have one or two other areas that we want to address like Portlaw and the Copper Coast.