Public Consultation on variation of the Westmeath County Development Plan

Westmeath County Council are hosting a public consultation of the Proposed Variation 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027.

The open public discussion takes place today from 4pm to 8pm in Mullingar Library.

The Proposed Variation relates to:

· To incorporate a Settlement Area Plan for Mullingar under Volume 9 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027.

· To integrate the Specific Planning Policy Requirements (SPPRs) from the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2024) into the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027

The reason for the Proposed Variation is to provide a detailed framework to guide the sustainable growth and development of Mullingar and to ensure that the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027 is fully aligned with the Specific Planning Policy Requirements (SPPRs) set out in the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2024.

Public Consultation

A copy of the Proposed Variation, together with:

· Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report

· Appropriate Assessment (AA) Natura Impact Report

will be on public display until 13th August 2025 inclusive (excluding public holidays) at the following locations: · Online at https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/

· The Planning Department, Westmeath County Council, Civic Offices, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N during public opening hours.

Westmeath County Council welcomes interested parties or individuals to make written or electronic (online) submissions or observations in respect of the Proposed Variation and associated SEA Environmental Report and Natura Impact Report (which includes information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the Variation) during the public display period. Any submission or observation may be made until 5.00pm on the 13th August 2025 and will be taken into consideration before the making of the Proposed Variation. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Submissions or observations should be in ONE medium only, i.e. online or hard copy, and made as follows: · Online at https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/

Or

· In writing to: ‘Draft Variation No. 1’, Administrative Officer, Forward Planning, Westmeath County Council, Civic Offices, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N

All submissions or observations MUST include the full name and address of the person(s) making the submission or observation, and where relevant, the body or organisation represented. Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are entitled to make submissions or observations.

The following guidance has been developed to help interested parties effectively engage with and maximise their participation in the consultation process:

· In order to assist us with complying with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), please include your name and contact details on a separate sheet to the content of your submission or observation.

· Submissions or observations should include a map if it refers to particular locations or features.

· Submissions or observations should be clear and concise. If there is a need to make a lengthy submission, please attach an executive summary to it.

· Submissions or observations should preferably be in typed format in the interests of legibility.

Please note that submissions or observations will be made public on the Council’s website and at the offices of Westmeath County Council, and will also form part of the Statutory Chief Executive’s Report to be presented to the full Council.

Closing Date for Submissions

Written or electronic (online) submissions or observations must be received no later than 5.00pm on Wednesday 13th August 2025.

A ‘Public Information Drop-In Session’ will be held during the consultation period to provide members of the public and interested groups with an opportunity to engage with the Proposed Variation.

Today's takes place at Mullingar Library, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar 22 July 2025 4pm