That we urge the County Council officials not to proceed with the proposed seventy-space car park at Acres Lake, Drumshanbo. This disproportionately large car park is unnecessary and poses threats to the peace and quiet and to the rights of the residents at Drumduff North and surrounding areas.
Minutes:
To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Des Guckian
"That we urge the County Council officials not to proceed with the proposed seventy space car park at Acres Lake, Drumshanbo. This disproportionately large car park is unnecessary and poses threats to the peace and quiet and to the rights of the residents at Drumduff North and surrounding areas."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"It is noted that this Notice of Motion requests the Council not to proceed with the development of the proposed car park at Acres Lake. The full proposal, the subject of a Part 8 public consultation process, includes for the construction of a Facility for Water Sports Activities in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland along with the provision of a raised pedestrian crossing. The Council cannot separate one element of the proposal from that which has been advertised for public consultation.
In relation to the requirement for this project this amenity and walk has and continues to be attracting increasing numbers. There is currently a limited number of car parking spaces available at the overall Acres Lake amenity on lands owned by the Council and Waterways Ireland and also along the regional road. However, a certain number of spaces in the existing car park will be used to facilitate the construction of the proposed building which in its own right is a significant investment for the future development of this area. However, regardless of the proposed Facility for Water Sports Activities being developed, there is a significant demand for car parking spaces to serve the growing visitor numbers to the existing facilities and amenities at this location. These facilities and amenities include the Visitor Centre, outdoor swimming pool, playground, tennis court, marina along with the successful Blueway to Battlebridge including the floating elements along Acres Lake. At present, during busy periods, the car parking facilities are wholly inadequate to cater for the level of demand. When the car park and parallel spaces are full, motorists park their cars along the footpath in front of residences opposite the amenity area and also along the grass verge opposite as far as Acres Cove housing development. Arising from the success of the existing amenities and facilities in the general Acres Lake area, additional supporting infrastructure in the form of further car parking is clearly required to be provided. The rationale for the car park is contained within the documentation which was placed on public display.
This Part 8 is currently going through a statutory process, which the Local Authority intends to see to a conclusion. It was advertised for public consultation on 20th October and will remain on display until 17th November. Members of the public have until 1st December to make their submissions to the Planning Department in writing. Council officials have engaged with residents on a number of occasions since the proposed Part 8 was placed on public. Residents have been encouraged to participate in the process by making submissions outlining their views, suggestions and indeed objection to the proposed development. This is the purpose of the Part 8 public consultation process whereby submissions will be taken into account by the Chief Executive before a recommendation is made to the Elected Members, which is the opportune time for the Members to act as decision makers. The report from the Chief Executive will include consideration of the need for the scale, design and layout of the proposed car park and can recommend to modify elements of the proposal which was placed on public display.
An Bord Pleanála have notified the Council on Thursday 11th November last that a local resident has requested a screening determination under Article 120(3)(a) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended with respect to the overall proposed development. This relates to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed development should have been carried out by the Local Authority. The Local Authority cannot therefore conclude the Part 8 process until the Board have first made their determination on this matter. A similar request was made to the Board on a separate Part 8 proposal last year and this process took just under 3 months to conclude. It would therefore be expected that this determination would be expected in February 2022."
Councillor Des Guckian gave the background to his motion and said that the reply received does not explain why such an enormous car park is needed in Drumshanbo. Councillor Des Guckian said it is unnecessary and poses threats to the peace and quiet and to the rights of the residents. He stated that wholesale dumping will happen, there will be no supervision of this car park, jeeps and mobile homes will park up here and this will be to the detriment of tourism. Councillor Guckian said the Shannon is already a haven for drug users and this car park will enable more of this behaviour. He asked the officials of Leitrim County Council to think again and show respect for the people of the area.
Councillor Enda Stenson said the comments by Councillor Des Guckian are harsh, and he said local residents who attended the recent meeting with council staff were very appreciative of the meeting, and said it was very cordial and they were happy that discussions did take place. Councillor Enda Stenson acknowledged that a 70-space car park may not be needed.
Councillor Stenson said the project will bring more tourism to the area and he said the members should work with the residents and the executive in this regard.
Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said the response is very full and she welcomed that a meeting took place with the residents and acknowledged that no public representatives attended and that there was no need as the residents are well able to speak for themselves.
Councillor Armstrong McGuire acknowledged that people have reservations that live along this route and these reservations will have to be addressed.
Councillor Sean McGowan said the closing date for submissions is 1st December and he welcomed the investment that is planned for Drumshanbo and invited the local people to make their observations on the development. Councillor Sean McGowan said the only issue is the size of the car park. Councillor McGowan said tourism is the biggest economic driver in Leitrim and this must be enhanced.
Councillor Paddy Farrell said local people are talking about the project and 70 car parking spaces may not be needed.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said members need to be careful not to add to conspiracy theories and to avoid scare mongering. Councillor Mulligan said it was wrong to classify every comment on the project as an objection, it would be more appropriate to refer to some as observations.
Councillor Des Guckian welcomed that some members felt a smaller carpark may be suitable. Councillor Guckian said tourism is not the only industry in the county and he said the political coalition, both nationally and locally, have abandoned agriculture. He said there is no conspiracy theory, and it will open up Drumshanbo to dangerous issues.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly, Director of Services advised that the Part 8 process is ongoing. The Blueway was the first development of this type in the area, and it has been very successful. This area is a well-established amenity area, tourism facilities and amenities include the Visitor Centre, outdoor swimming pool, playground, tennis court, marina, and the successful Blueway to Battlebridge including the floating boardwalk at Acres Lake. At present, during busy periods, the car parking facilities are inadequate to cater for the level of demand. The construction of a Facility for Water Sports Activities, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, along with the provision of a raised pedestrian crossing requires additional supporting infrastructure in the form of further car parking. Mr Joseph Gilhooly said this is first time he has heard negative remarks at a meeting towards the waterway or Blueway at Drumshanbo.
Mr Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer said residents were invited to a meeting which was a general meeting about the project. A further meeting was requested by the residents who asked that no public representation be present at the meeting. The local residents have been advised that all submissions have to be put in writing to the Planning Department up until 1st December. Mr O’Connor said these meetings with the residents were very meaningful.
Councillor Des Guckian asked if there will be proper supervision of the carpark.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly said the carpark would be dealt with the same as any other carpark in the County and this was an unrealistic expectation.
Mr O’Connor said on foot of questions from the residents Leitrim County Council would consider putting gates on the carpark as nobody would be using the Blueway or other amenities in the area at night-time. The residents were advised to put this in writing as a submission, and it would be considered.