Planning Section will give a presentation

Martin Lydon, Head of Finance, presented the Draft Athlone Joint Retail Strategy to the members.   This is a joint initiative between Roscommon County Council and Westmeath County Council.

The areas affected in Roscommon and Westmeath are outlined in the Strategy document.  The aims of the strategy are:

-          to ensure that Athlone continues to be viable retail centre.

-          to ensure that the Core of the town is returned.

-          Need to address leakage of retail expenditure out of the town of Athlone.

-          Job creation is essential for both counties. 

-          Athlone to be a growth centre.

The following needs to be carried out

-          SEA and AA Screening

-          Public consultation on the draft strategy in February

-          Chief Executive report in March

-          At Plenary Meeting, the County Development Plan and Monksland/Bealnamullia Local Area Plan will need Variation No. 2 to take account of Athlone Joint Retail Strategy. 

A number of discussions have been held with Westmeath County Council Executive and Roscommon.  It was proposed that Monksland would be local neighbourhood centre.  However, this was not acceptable.  Roscommon require special category status.  This is consistent with the Local Area Plan which has already been voted through. 

Mr. Lydon advised that Westmeath County Council have proposed a meeting on 12^th December 2018 at 3pm in the Civic Offices, Athlone to discuss this Draft Athlone Retail Strategy with the Elected Members from Athlone West.  All Councillors in the Athlone MD area, who were present at the meeting, advised they were available to attend this meeting.

Councillor Ward welcomed this meeting.  He had put a motion to Roscommon County Council for name change for Athlone to identify west from east.  Councillors should meet once or twice a year from both sides. 

Councillor Fallon advised that the first meeting should be a “get to know you meeting” as no legislation has been passed yet.

Mr Lydon advised that we have to move forward in the context of the Draft Athlone Retail Strategy. 

Councillor Connaughton advised that Roscommon are losing a huge opportunity in the Bogganfin Area.  It is a prime location on the Roscommon road. 

Martin Lydon advised Bogganfin is not zoned. TII will not approve any development in Bogganfin and it would be remiss of Roscommon County Council to send signals that there may be an opportunity for these lands to be developed at this point.

Councillor Naughten welcomed the Draft Strategy.  It is in all our interests to see the town develop and expand and maybe become a city. He queried if there was the possibility of a “Kildare Village” type development for Monksland.

Martin Lydon responded that this is not in the Draft Retail Strategy.  Growth centre is not defined for the future.

Members agreed that future discussion were required with TII re Bogganfin lands.

Martin Lydon stated that

1.       An Application was referred to TII in relation to lands at Bogganfin approx 6 years ago but not agreed.

2.       Draft Athlone Retail Strategy is bringing our policies together with Westmeath County Council.