· To undertake a Public Realm Improvement Scheme in Mohill.
· To modify the curtilage/front boundary of St.Mary’s Church Wall.
Minutes:
Chief Executive’s Report issued to members in advance of the November 2020 meeting (Appendix 1 to the Minutes of this meeting book).
Cathaoirleach Councillor Farrell read out the description of the Part 8 Proposal:
To consider the Chief Executive report and Recommendations pursuant to Section 179 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Part 8 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) in respect of the following proposed development (Pages 17-54).
· To undertake a Public Realm Improvement Scheme in Mohill.
· To modify the cartilage/front boundary of St. Mary’s Church Wall.
Councillor Mulligan then addressed the meeting. He started by saying that a considerable amount of time had been spent on this project in many ways, but he would have liked to have had more time to have the opportunity to discuss this proposal better with the public.
Today the Members of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District are presented with three options namely:
· To adopt Chief Executive’s Report without amendment.
· Reject Chief Executive’s Report
· To adopt Chief Executive’s Report with amendments.
He outlined that he intended now to propose amendments which he said were as a result of speaking with members the public and listening to their views.
He wished to make the amendments under specific headings, namely:-
1. Achieving Better Traffic Flow.
2. Businesses – Carrying out Day to Day Business.
3. Disabled Parking.
4. Maintaining proper access to Gateways, Archways and Laneways.
5. Measures to accommodate Festivals, Fairs etc.
6. Enhancement Works
Cllr Mulligan then proceeded to outline the proposed amendments as follows:
Achieving Better Traffic Flow
1. That the junction from Castle Street onto Lower Main Street be altered to accommodate two lanes of one way traffic in order to avoid tailbacks and give better turning room for large goods vehicles.
2. That step outs at the junction of Green lane and Water Street be removed to allow turning room for heavy vehicles. Tight corner at best of times, especially for HGV’s. Proposed step out would result in difficulties with HGV’s navigating turn.
3. That turning room for cattle trucks entering and exiting the mart at Upper Main Street and Green lane not be impeded in anyway. Free access to Enter and Exit.
Businesses - Carrying out day to day business
1. That three set down areas be provided outside former National Irish Bank and Paul’s. There is already a Disabled Parking Bay here, proposing that it be moved up the street a little towards the Bank of Ireland.
2. That detailed design would ensure the provision of three car park spaces on Glebe Street extending from Killraines to O Brien’s Bed and Breakfast. This is vitally important to a number of businesses in this area.
3. That the step out at Greens be removed. That the first step out on Lower Main Street be omitted and replaced with a car parking space.
4. That the step out at Fitzpatrick’s (Business Premises) be omitted and two car park spaces be introduced starting at end of existing double yellow line.
5. That the raised dual purpose area at the corner be reduced in line with existing Double Lines at Hyde Street and Lower Main Street. This needs to be done from a safety point of view.
6. That the step out at Crossans on Glebe Street be omitted and replaced with a car parking space. This is unnecessary and a car parking space in this location is more desirable.
Disabled parking
The town is Mohill is well served with a number of Disabled Parking Bays. With that in mind, and ensuring compliance with any legal minimum provision, proposing the following 2 amendments:-
1. That the disabled car parking space presently located outside Gannons be removed. (This may have to be considered under legislation. This is something that can be looked again at the “Detailed Design Stage”.
2. That the disabled parking space outside the former National Irish Bank be moved slightly towards the bank link machine. (This proposal has already been highlighted under Businesses - Carrying out day to day business – Point No. 1 above).
Maintaining proper access to gateways and archways and laneways
1. Step outs be provided at all existing gateways and alleyways.
Measures to accommodate Festivals, Fairs etc
1. That all metal pillars in the area of the O’Carolan Monument and Castle Street be of a removable type. (This would facilitate the space being opened up for use for a variety of purposes).
2. That the Northern End of the Plaza surrounding the O’Carolan Monument be of sufficient strength to accommodate light vehicles and casual trading type stalls. This would allow for the facilitation of festival stages, stalls etc. Should be located near the Hunt School end of Plaza.
Enhancement Works
The following are some proposals for enhancement works providing that they do not impinge on people carrying out their day to day business.
1. The straightening off the pier at entrance to St Marys Church. Piers and Gates at this location very old, going back to early 1800s. The 2 piers are in excellent condition, however one of the piers has become slightly tilted in an outwardly direction. Propose to have this straightened as part of the Public Realm Works.
2. Repair and straightening of the very old wrought iron gate. As a result of the tilting pier (as mentioned above) the gates have become bent. Propose that these gates be repaired by specialist blacksmith.
3. Significant improvement works be carried out to the river and the covering of the river in the area of Arus Carolan and the footbridge. Would ask that this would be something that could be looked at during the “Detailed Design Stage”. This work would not interfere with the old bridge as it would finish around the start of the footbridge.
4. That the Garden of Remembrance retained and modified to accommodate four marked parking spaces which could double as a casual trading area. The Garden of Remembrance is located at Baxter’s old shop across the road in front of Casey’s Bar. Close to the O’Carolan monument. It is triangular in shape and is surrounded by walls, it is a very nice feature. Proposing that it would be redesigned and shortened. This would make provision for 4 additional car parking spaces, which would also be used for Casual Trading. This would be a good use of the area. A smaller Garden of Remembrance would be retained. This is something that could be look at during the “Detailed Design Stage”.
5. That entrance to Mc Gowan’s family farmyard be maintained. It is important that this entrance is not impeded in any way.
That a walkway connection between Glebe Street car park and Lower Main Street be acquired. During the various discussions with the public, quite a few people raised the possibility of connecting the Car Park on Glebe Street to the lane up towards O’Malley’s/Fitzpatrick’s on Lower Main Street. There is real possibility here. It would greatly enhance the town if there were a short footpath. It would require the acquisition of 1 – 2 metres to make it wider. There would be 2 properties involved at this location. He believed it would add to the Public Realm Works and contribute to the convenience of everyone in the town.
After putting forward his proposals to the meeting Councillor Mulligan reiterated that the proposed amendments were a result of discussions with locals. The proposals were “sensible”, “well thought out” and “within reason”.
Councillor McGowan seconded Councillor Mulligan’s proposals. He complimented Councillor Mulligan on the amount of work and time he had put in. He commented that initially most of the concerns regarding the Part 8 were due to loss of car parking spaces, with some modifications he now believes that this has been largely resolved.
He said that this is a great chance for Mohill town. It was once a thriving market town. Out of town shopping and other locations have changed shopping habits. This Public Realm will enhance the town. It will reinvigorate the town and going forward has the potential to attract more businesses into it.
Councillor Guckian welcomed the members of the public from Mohill town who had joined the meeting online. He said he believed that the members should have been circulated with a copy of these new proposals in advance of today’s meeting. This is the first time some of the Councillors have been made aware of the changes. He said it was not fair to ask them to vote on something to which they had no prior knowledge.
He informed the meeting that the proposal is flawed and he did not accept the diversion from the main plan. He said that he represented the majority of those who would be affected by the plans and commented that the new plan put forward is still very vague. He said that the officials of Leitrim County Council have hidden behind Covid and they have failed to communicate properly with people of Mohill.
He alluded to a photograph which circulated on social media over the weekend, which showed the car of an elected member parked in a disabled parking space. Councillor Guckian remarked that this is the very same car parking space that the councillor is now proposing to be relocated.
He commented that Sheridan Woods Consultants based in Dublin know very little about Mohill. He said the proposed plan to widen footpaths and narrow roads makes no sense. The street layout and parking in Mohill town are adequate at the moment.
The first thing that this needed for Mohill is a proper economic plan. The proposed plan is so shallow and will be the final nail in the coffin for Mohill. History and Archaeology are central to what we are talking about.
Referring to proposals to rebuild wall at St Mary’s Church, he commented that Archaeological Assessment means nothing. What is totally missing in all of this is trust. The ordinary people do not trust the officials of Leitrim County Council. He said that his own distrust with the council was based on recent events with the regard to similar Public Realm Works in Carrick on Shannon. He remarked that the council had illegally knocked down a wall in Carrick on Shannon, which was a protected structure. This is now a matter of a High Court review and he asked the media to make note of this matter.
He said that the Public Realm Plan would be used to create a speculators paradise, referring specifically to the Backlands of Mohill, he said that speculators would make a killing. He said that rights of Mohill people have been abused. All of this process has been very rushed on both Councillors and the people of Mohill alike.
He urged all Councillors to reject this proposal and called on the council to go back and start the whole thing from scratch.
He said he would love to support a new, reasonable plan. However, he was totally opposed to the plan presented to members today.
Councillor Enda Stenson thanked the Chief Executive, Ms Egan and Mr O’Connor for all their time given to meeting with him and other elected members. He said that he trusts the council totally. This is a good job going forward and he supported all the amendments which have been proposed. He referred to the newly opened car park in Carrick on Shannon, which he said was wonderful to see. He hoped that someday Mohill can be held up as an example, like Carrick on Shannon to get people back into the town and encourage them to set up businesses.
Mr Gilhooly then addressed the meeting and went through the amendments as proposed by Councillor Mulligan.
He said that he believed the majority of amendments were feasible, however some “would cause headaches for the engineers at design” such as the addition parking on Glebe Street.
Referring to the section on “Enhancement Works” he said that the council will look at the issue of the piers and gates at St Mary’s Church. He said that he was supportive of the proposal and understood the need for it. However, he advised as this was a protected structure it will have to be assessed in the context of same.
He also informed the Members that proposals in regard to works outside of the scope (red line) of the Part 8 i.e. covering of the river or walkway connection could not become part of the approved proposal but could receive attention going forward into the future as separate matters.
Councillor Armstrong McGuire wished to be associated with positive comments made. She wished to express her gratitude to her fellow councillors who met with the people of Mohill over the weekend to discuss the plan. She said that she fully agreed and supported the amendments put forward by Councillor Mulligan and congratulated him on same. She commented that this was a good and positive thing to do.
Councillor Guckian asked Mr Gilhooly “what is the exact status of the new proposals brought before us today, without prior notice?”
Cathaoirleach Councillor Farrell addressed the meeting. He said that he would like to see investment in Mohill town. He was delighted to be part of the proposal for the sports grant for the town recently and had put forward motions seeking more industry in Mohill. He said that when the plan was first introduced, it looked fantastic on paper. While listening to Councillor Mulligan today, it was clear to him that this proposal is not exactly what the people of Mohill want. He said that when the people of Mohill were happy with the plan, he would be happy. He said that under these circumstances he could not vote in favour of such a plan. He concluded remarking that it was a pity that there wasn’t more consultation on the proposed project.
Councillor Guckian congratulated Councillor Farrell on his stand. He commented that all the talk is about receiving investment. He asked “who is going to magic it up?” He said that this plan will not make it, the only beneficiaries would be the architects and contractors involved in the project. There will be “sweet little for any business or person in Mohill.” He again urged the council to “get rid of this idea.”
Mr Lowe, Local Enterprise Officer informed the members that 5 years of planning had gone into this project. There was a lot of engagement with town teams regarding the renaming and rebranding of towns. This was a unique opportunity for Mohill. He explained that there was a very comprehensive process for funding. He said there had been a lot of engagement with community groups.
Councillor Guckian called for a vote on the amendments.
He was informed that it was not necessary to hold a vote as the counter proposal had not been seconded.
Councillor Guckian said that he then wanted it noted that both himself and
Councillor Farrell had voiced their objection to the Part 8.
He was again informed that there needed to be a formal counter proposal,
which needed to be proposed and seconded in order for it to be put to a vote.
As no counter proposal was put forward the Part 8 with proposed amendments
was deemed adopted.
Councillor Mulligan sought clarity that the Part 8 had indeed been adopted with
the proposed amendments.
Councillor Mulligan then went on to thank the Chief Executive and staff of
Leitrim County Council who had given considerable time and commitment to
this project.
He thanked all his fellow councillors “whether they were for or against this
project”.
He said people in general fear change, everyone has reservations, but change
has to happen.
He paid tribute to Councillor’s McGowan and Stenson who assisted him in
meeting with the public in Mohill over the last weekend.
This scheme will only come about if funding is granted to Leitrim County
Council.
There is a long road ahead. Before he concluded he wished to clarify a couple
of statements made by Councillor Guckian.
Firstly he said he wished to address the comment that the people of Mohill
were not consulted properly. Councillor Mulligan refuted this and said that he
took issue with Councillor Guckian’s statement.
He also advised that the he had parked in a disabled parking bay that
Councillor Guckian had referred to and the reason for this was that he was in
the office on Saturday morning and no members of the public were there. He
went to another location to do some work and received a phone call telling him
that there were 12 people waiting outside the premises to speak to him. He
rushed back to Mohill in order to meet these people and parked in the spot
outside the premises which was a disabled parking bay. He said that he
“apologised whole heartedly” for his actions.