I’m asking senior Council officials if it is now Leitrim Council policy to ignore the importance of and to cover over areas of our County where significant archaeological finds have been made or where the history suggests important archaeological remains exist? Does an actual policy exist which conforms to the law of reporting such finds to the Dept of Heritage together with putting in place further research and, if necessary, having geophysical surveys and possibly excavation work done in the vicinity of such finds?
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Des Guckian;
"I’m asking senior Council officials if it is now Leitrim Council policy to ignore the importance of and to cover over areas of our County where significant archaeological finds have been made or where the history suggests important archaeological remains exist? Does an actual policy exist which conforms to the law of reporting such finds to the Dept of Heritage together with putting in place further research and, if necessary, having geophysical surveys and possibly excavation work done in the vicinity of such finds?"
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"The policy framework for all development proposals, be they proposals submitted by individuals through planning applications to the Planning Authority or proposals by the Council communicated to the public via the Part 8 public consultation process, is contained in the County Development Plan.
Section 4.9.8 deals with Archaeological Assessment.
Policy 106 states:
It is the policy of the Council to secure the preservation (i.e. preservation in situ or in particular circumstances where the Council is satisfied that this is not possible, preservation by record as a minimum) of all archaeological remains and sites of importance such as National Monuments, Recorded Monuments, their setting and context.
The Council will protect all such sites and monuments and their settings from inappropriate development. All planning applications, including Council own proposals, likely to interfere with such a recorded site, monument or zone of archaeological interest are referred to the Development Applications Unit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Regard is given to the advice and recommendations of the Development Applications Unit in respect of whether or not planning permission should be granted and the nature of conditions to be attached to any grant of planning permission. This equally applies to Part 8 proposals.
The Planning Authority is unaware of any development proposal advertised through the Part 8 Public Consultation process where the express advice and recommendation of the Development Applications Unit has not been adhered to.
The council also adheres to all required notification processes in line with National Monuments or Historical Monuments legislation”.
Councillor Des Guckian gave the background to his motion and stated that Leitrim County Council have failed in their duties to check and survey significant archaeological finds.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said the policy framework for all development proposals, whether proposals submitted by individuals through planning applications to the Planning Authority, or proposals by the Council communicated to the public via the Part 8 public consultation process, is contained in the County Development Plan and Section 4.9.8 deals with Archaeological Assessment. Leitrim County Council adheres to all the required notification processes in line with the National Monuments or Historical Monuments legislation.
Bernard Greene, Senior Planner outlined that the archaeological find at the Mohill Library development was carried out in accordance with Section 4.9.8 which deals with Archaeological Assessment.
Councillor Des Guckian said Council officials were skirting around on this issue.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Mary Bohan stated the Council have done what they were required to do and stated that any concerns Councillor Guckian has should be taken up with the National Monuments Service. Cllr Guckian stated it will come up in another forum.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly stated he did not accept the comment that Officials of Leitrim County Council are skirting around the issue and the facts are as those outlined in the reply.
Councillor Enda Stenson paid tribute to the new Library development in Mohill and to the committee involved in this project.