I will ask the Council what progress has been made in relation to one off houses and how many Planning Permissions have been granted in the Ballinamore Municipal District for 2019 - 2020?
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Caillian Ellis;
"I will ask the Council what progress has been made in relation to one off houses and how many Planning Permissions have been granted in the Ballinamore Municipal District for 2019 & 2020?"
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"As advised in response to a Notice of Motion at the September full Council meeting, a review of the current EPA Code of Practice has been concluded with a revised Code of Practice awaiting Departmental review. When approved and published, the revised Code of Practice will be assessed regarding impact on the County. However, it is expected to contain only marginal alterations. Secondly, discussions with the Department were delayed due to Government formation, etc. The Council will endeavour to renew discussions.
In 2019, Leitrim County Council granted planning permission for 20 no. individual houses served by individual wastewater treatment systems – 5 no. Ballinamore M.D., 5 no. Carrick on Shannon M.D. and 10 no. in Manorhamilton M.D.
Planning permission was granted in 2019 for 8 no. replacement houses served by individual wastewater treatment systems - 3 no. Ballinamore M.D., 1 no. Carrick on Shannon M.D. and 4 no. in Manorhamilton M.D.
In addition, planning permission was granted in 2019 for 5 no. individual houses which were able to connect to piped water services - 1 no. Ballinamore M.D., 2 no. Carrick on Shannon M.D. and 2 no. in Manorhamilton M.D.
In 2020 to date (20/11/20), Leitrim County Council has granted planning permission for 23 no. individual houses served by individual wastewater treatment systems – 15 no. Ballinamore M.D., 2 no. Carrick on Shannon M.D. and 6 no. in Manorhamilton M.D.
Planning permission has been granted in 2020 to date for 3 replacement houses served by individual wastewater treatment systems - 1 no. Ballinamore M.D. and 2 no. Carrick on Shannon M.D.
Finally, planning permission has been granted in 2020 to date for 7 no. individual houses which were able to connect to piped water services - 1 no. Ballinamore M.D., 5 no. Carrick on Shannon M.D. and 1 no. in Manorhamilton M.D.
No planning application for any of these categories of development has been refused in the Ballinamore M.D. area in 2019 or 2020."
Councillor Ellis acknowledged the reply to his Notice of Motion, however, he stated that this issue has been ongoing for the last number of years and requires resolution. He stated if planning permissions cannot be granted then it will prevent new households building their family homes in Leitrim. Councillor Ellis stated that there is a high demand for one off houses to be provided as many households are seeking to move to rural locations particularly now with the increase in employees working remotely arising from the Pandemic.
Councillor Reynolds-Flynn supported the Notice of Motion and stated that as many people as possible should be encouraged to move back to Leitrim and that the planning issue needs to be addressed to support this.
Councillor Paddy O’Rourke and Councillor Gerry Dolan supported the Notice of Motion.
Councillor Brendan Barry supported the Notice of Motion and suggested that if the pre-planning meetings were arranged to take place on site that it would assist all parties in the planning process. This proposal was supported by all Members.
Councillor Enda McGloin also supported the Notice of Motion. He referred to a recent meeting held with Leitrim County Council Officials, the EPA and the Department to discuss the issue. He outlined that an additional meeting was to take place but has not proceeded due to the Pandemic.
Councillor Caillian Ellis expressed his dis-satisfaction that the Members had not been provided with an update from the Executive on the outcome of the meeting with the EPA and the Department.
A discussion also ensued regarding the Taking in Charge Process for Group Water Schemes and the costs associated with this process.
Mr. Vincent Dwyer outlined that the Group Water Schemes are obliged to use Contractors that are on the Irish Water Framework Panel for the completion of the necessary works before the Group Scheme can be taken in charge. He agreed that the costs can be prohibitive and that the grant available for individual houses is insufficient to offset these costs.
It was agreed to send a letter to Minister Darragh O’Brien requesting an update as to what plans the Department may have to address the excessive construction costs being imposed by Irish Water on Group Water Schemes being taken in charge.
Proposed by Councillor Enda McGloin, seconded by Councillor Caillian Ellis AND UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:
“That Ballinamore Municipal District write to Minister Darragh O’Brien requesting an update as to what plans the Department may have to address the excessive construction costs being imposed by Irish Water on Group Water Schemes being taken in charge’.