Ballinagore plan adopted

Members of Westmeath County Council have adopted the Ballinagore Local Area Plan as recommended by the County Manager.The plan involves zoning for residential development a 2.122 acre parcel of land to the rear and side of the Bodhrán public house, currently occupied by an abandoned derelict housing development, making that site a village core zoning. In turn, the area the County Manager wanted zoned will be reduced by 2.122 acres.Four submissions were received on the amended LAP, two from residents objecting to the amendments, one from the owner of at least part of the land which the resolution proposed to zone and a final submission from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.In his submission, Gerry O'Neill from Bridge House, Ballinagore suggested that the proposed amendment was being proposed for the benefit of the landowner rather than the benefit of the village. In response, Mr McLoughlin said that the zone should accomodate three dwellings per year (max). The reservations previously expressed with regard to wastewater and traffic no longer apply, he added.Tony Marshall of Ballinagore said that site for proposed residential zoning was unsuitable for further development and said the Manager's report made it clear that the area is not suitable for zoning. He said there were road safety concerns. He said demolishing the existing structures would be a "reward" for the landowner who has subjected the area to a derelict site.The manager said that the initial submission was "substantially different" to what was being recommended by the councillors. He said their position was "reasonable".Alaine Clarke, CODA, on behalf of Sean Sheridan and Daughters Ltd, Tyrellspass said that the proposed amendment would lead to a balanced development of the village, increase connectivity and strengthen the sense of place. She also said that the wastewater issue could be resolved at planning permission stage.The Department of the Environment said it did not consider the proposed amendment would impact on any Nature 2000 site. It noted potential conflict with the Shannon River Basin Management Plan, advice which was accepted by the County Manager. Despite support for an environmental report, Mr McLoughlin said it was not required due to the scale of the site.