·         Inclusion of the Athlone Joint Retail Strategy (Circulated)

Mr. Martin Lydon, Director of Services briefed the Members that the proposed variation of the County Development Plan is in relation to the joint Retail Strategy only between Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils.  The Variation went on Public Display from 1^st February to 4^th March 2019.Seven submissions received and each has to be considered by the elected members:

1.       Submission from Health and Safety Authority – risk use to land use planning. No change is recommended.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED no change recommended to Draft Variation Plan

2.       Submission from Environmental Protection Agency – Comments on SEA Screening Report and guidance to be followed and the interaction required with environmental agencies.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

SECONDED by Cllr. Kilduff

It was AGREED no change recommended to Draft Variation Plan

3.       Submission from Irish water re drainage area plan underway in the Monksland area – outside the scope of this proposal.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Connolly

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED no change recommended to Draft Variation Plan

4.       Submission from Tony Kenny – highlights the failings of the Athlone Retail Strategy – undersupply of supermarket, district centre zoning and traffic bottlenecks. All issues are outside the variation proposal.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED no change recommended to Draft Variation plan

5.       Submission from Transportation Infrastructure Ireland – Coordinated planning for transport in Athlone Area, junctions on M6 near  capacity and to undertake a strategic transport assessment that is to be completed.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED no change necessary to Draft Variation Plan

6.       Submission from Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government- Plan should be reviewed when RSES is adopted.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED no change necessary to Draft Variation Plan

7.       Submission from Forward Planning Unit, Roscommon County Council – looking to change some wording and typos.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED no change necessary to Draft Variation Plan

The members commented as follows:

·         welcomed the ongoing cooperation between the local councillors from Roscommon and Westmeath and the input of the executive.

·         The outcome of the traffic Assessment will be key to the industrial and commercial lands.

·         A lot of work has been undertaken since the “Save Roscommon Campaign”.  Thanks to the 28,000 people who signed the petition and sent in submissions. The campaign was a win and it will now take a vote of the two houses of the Oireachtas to change the current arrangement

·         Welcome the ongoing cooperation between the two counties

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

              SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

And AGREED that on Page 85, Par 4, S7.3.1.2 after “Golden Island Shopping Centre” add and the adjacent mixed use site”

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

              SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

And AGREED to adopt the Draft Variation No. 2 of the Roscommon County Development Plan 2014-2020

The Chief Executive noted that this was a very important development and finally establishes the commitment of the elected representatives on both sides and he is looking forward to the next steps when the RSES is adopted.