Councillors reject proposal to rezone Kelly's Field

The Mullingar Settlement Area Plan (SAP) proposal to rezone Kelly’s Field, Mullingar, from amenity or open space to residential use was rejected at a special meeting of Westmeath County Council.

The local authority debated 30 proposed variations to the Mullingar SAP on Monday, October 20.

Senior planner Cathaldus Hartin said the proposals put forward by four of the elected members “acknowledge and reflect the public observations that were received on the plan” in respect of Kelly’s Field.

The field is the green area that backs onto Ballinderry Road, Lynn Avenue and Lynnderry Court. It has long served as an important public amenity for residents of Ballinderry, Millmount, Lynn, Ardmore Road, Newtown and surrounding communities.

Objectors to the rezoning proposal in the Mullingar Area Plan said historically the field was used for the Mullingar Area Community Games and Street League Games, and described it as “a vital community space used daily for walking, running, dog walking, football, hurling, golf, informal sports, children’s play, and quiet enjoyment”.

The senior planner said the inclusion of Kelly’s Field in the SAP was in line with its existing zoning: “It should be noted, however, that the lands are serviced for residential development.”

The council received a deluge of submissions in respect of the amenity: “In addition to its recreational value, Kelly’s Field is an ecologically and biodiverse rich space, supporting wildlife such as foxes, hedgehogs, and various bird species. The field is surrounded by mature hedgerows and grasslands and already functions as a valuable green corridor within the town,” one submission stated.

Mr Hartin told members such details would have been addressed in any planning application: “The site makes the best use of the existing infrastructure, transport integration, service access and sustainable community.

“There is a provision of open space reserved alongside these for formal open space provision. Specific issues such as traffic and ecological assessment are dealt with as part of the detailed assessment that takes place at the development and management stage.”

The first of the four elected members to table motions on the matter was Cllr Ken Glynn: “My motion stands and I am formally proposing that we will remove the proposal and change it back to open space.

“This land has been in the ownership of the local people for a considerable time. We need open spaces in our communities. There’s a long historical connection to this site. People were generally a little bit disappointed that the response from the chief executive didn’t note their views,” Cllr Glynn said.

Cllr Bill Collentine also spoke against the proposal: “It must be zoned recreational,” he said, “The people have spoken. There is huge support to have it retained as a community amenity. We cannot go against so many people. There’s lots of other areas that houses can be built on.”

Cllr Mick Dollard agreed: “I understand there have been something like 165 submissions from local people opposed to the zoning of this land. I think when you look at public consultation, that’s what it’s all about.”

The cathaoirleach, Cllr Aoife Davitt, described the number of submissions on the issue as “phenomenal”.

“I wonder if we looked back in time at other development plans if there was ever an issue that evoked such a big response,” she said.

Many other councillors spoke on the topic emphasising the representation they received from the public about the opposition to the proposal, including Cllrs David Jones, Andrew Duncan, Julie McCourt, and Denis Leonard.

The elected members adopted the revision to The Mullingar SAP proposal to retain zoning of Kelly’s Field, Mullingar, from amenity or open space.