Minutes:
Bernard Greene, Senior Planner gave a presentation on the draft County Development Plan. Next stage of the plan is to re- engage with the Councillors in workshops at MD level and work through the land use zoning objectives and separate plans for each of the centres. Members will submit motions to amend the draft plan and a period of time will be taken to prepare a response with a formal Council meeting on the 24th January 2022 where motions will be addressed and conclude 30th January. The plan will go on display in mid-February for period of 10 weeks this will give planning time to engage with the wider community through a webinar.
Seán Ó Conláin congratulated Bernard and acknowledged all the hard work involved. He questioned why non-elected representatives/PPN are not involved until February and asked if controversial community issues could be debated i.e. renewable energy/forestry. He stated that “well-being” was mentioned and is an initiative that could be part of the plan. He also mentioned the SLNCR Greenway project and its strategic importance to the county.
Bernard stated there has been engagement with the public at pre-draft stage with 43 submissions. The economic/community element of the Development Plan is taken from the LECP and that’s where the PPN has huge role. Regarding renewable energy there is a need to achieve a balance, Leitrim is very conscious of the importance of landscape and have gone a step further than most other LA in looking at the landscape character and the ability to absorb very large structures. He stated that regarding forestry again there is a need to look at the ability of the landscape to absorb commercial forestry. There is a landscape evidence-based document that will be presented to the members in due course.
Cllr. Justin Warnock stated Kinlough is a tier 2b village with the plan only allowing to build 8 houses per annum in the confinement of the village this needs to be addressed. No houses to rent with population of 1200. Cllr Warnock asked how Kinlough can grow unhindered.
Stephen Clancy supported Cllr. Justin and stated Kinlough is an area under urban influence you can’t get properties to rent and it’s very difficult to acquire planning permission to build.
Bernard stated the Government have been clear they won’t provide infrastructure unless it’s based on a robust plan that adheres to a national hierarchy. Growth allocated to Leitrim is 1300 units over 6-year plan. It’s about viability of development not zoning or servicing land.
Joseph Gilhooly stressed we must try as a county to set structure and hierarchy that suits Leitrim with 1300 units. Justin points are valid, but the lack of housing units is the same in most towns.
Seán Ó Conláin asked if the various greenways be included in a strategic sustainable transport map for the county?
Cllr. Enda McGloin raised a concern re topography issues with Drumshanbo which identified areas marked in yellow – residential but it will prove very difficult to build on.
Bernard accepted the point but stated that topography issues are a concern in all villages and towns