Revised Mullingar plan approved after significant changes made

Westmeath county councillors have approved a revised variation of the county development plan that removes peripheral housing proposals, scales back development near the Royal Canal and tightens alignment with national planning policy.

The decision follows the adoption of the Stage 3 Chief Executive’s Report on Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027, which introduces a new Mullingar Settlement Area Plan and incorporates updated national guidelines on compact and sustainable growth.

Among the most significant outcomes is the removal of a proposed residential zoning at Irishtown, on the outskirts of Mullingar.

Councillors accepted the chief executive’s recommendation to drop the zoning, which would have facilitated serviced sites and self-build housing, on the grounds that the lands lie outside the settlement boundary, lack public sewerage and are poorly served by public transport and active travel infrastructure.

The proposal had drawn objections from the Office of the Planning Regulator, the National Transport Authority, Uisce Éireann and the Department of Housing. Councillors were told that Mullingar already has sufficient residentially zoned land within its existing urban footprint to meet housing targets, and that allowing development at Irishtown would conflict with national compact growth and sequential development policies.

Residential zoning at Canal South (Ardmore, Marlinstown) was approved, but at a reduced scale, reflecting environmental concerns linked to the Royal Canal.

In one section of the lands, councillors agreed to restrict future housing to family members of the landowner only, with applicants required to demonstrate local housing need and comply with strict ecological, landscaping and design conditions aimed at protecting the canal corridor.

Councillors also approved a requirement to update the Settlement Capacity Audit, ensuring that all residentially zoned lands are assessed using the most up-to-date information from Uisce Éireann on water and wastewater capacity.

The audit will inform how quickly and realistically different sites can be developed.

Stronger flood risk management measures were endorsed for enterprise and employment lands, particularly at Lough Sheever, where highly vulnerable uses will no longer be permitted in Flood Zone B and only water-compatible uses will be allowed in Flood Zone A. Flood policies were also updated to reflect the Flood Risk Management Sectoral Adaptation Plan 2025–2030.

The adopted variation further reinforces protections for the N4 and N52 national roads, requiring that development does not compromise safety or capacity, and strengthens policy support for securing a long-term water supply for Mullingar through the Shannon, Dublin water supply project.

At Robinstown Central, councillors approved clarifications confirming that mixed-use zoning will be residential-led, with only appropriately scaled commercial and community uses permitted, alongside enhanced safeguards for the Royal Canal Greenway.

In approving the revised variation, councillors were told it strikes a better balance between housing delivery, environmental protection and infrastructure capacity, while ensuring that Mullingar’s future growth remains compact, plan-led and in line with national policy.