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The Cathaoirleach welcomes everyone to this Special meeting to discuss the Draft Development Plan 2021-2027 and invited the Chief Executive to speak.

The Chief Executive welcomed all of the Elected Members to the Special meeting to discuss the Draft County Development Plan – an important plan that will shape the county for the next 7 years and the councillors have a huge role in bringing this document to finality.

The Draft plan is extremely readable but complex regarding some policies and in particular S28 guidelines regarding climate change, density issues and rural housing.

This plan has embraced new initiatives in its preparation – the issues paper, a dedicated website, new village plans, new zoning that creates flexibility. The RSES has set parameters that Local Authorities must adhere to but members should be aware that every detail cannot be included. It is expected that the Planning Regulator will engage closely with the plan. There will be good debates on its content but it is important for the people of the county to engage during the 10-week consultation process.

Mr. Martin Lydon, Director of Services welcomed Mr. David L’Estrange from CAAS who advised on the plan and Mary Grier, and Pio Byrnes form the Planning Department.

Mr. Pio Byrnes outlined the Development Plan process, the content of the Draft plan and the headline issues:

·         Stage 1 of the Plan involved the Pre-Draft Stage including the public consultation for the issues paper, the Chief Executives report on the consultation, the member’s direction and the preparation of the Draft Plan

·         The Draft County Development Plan is now at Stage 2 of the process and has been prepared in line with the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial Economic Strategies, and in accordance with S. 28 Ministerial Guidelines

·         The Draft Plan consists of:

o   Volume 1 - consists of the written statement which sets out the local level strategic direction for the development of County Roscommon.  The written statement sets out the Core Strategy, and details a series of mandatory and discretionary objectives across a wide range of policy areas.

o   Volume II contains Settlements Plans for the towns of Ballaghadereen, Castlerea, Elphin and Strokestown as well as 28 Village Plans for smaller rural settlements. It also includes Area Plans for the Hodson Bay / Barrymore area in the south of the county, and for the Lough Key Area in the north.

o   Five Associated Documents – Housing Strategy and Housing Need Assessment Demand, Landscape Character Assessment, Record of Protected Structures, Renewable Energy Strategy and Retail Strategy

o   Environmental Reports – SEA Environmental Report and Non-Technical Summary, Natura Impact Report and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

·         The Headline issues:

o   Core Strategy: The Implementation Roadmap for the National Planning Framework outlines a population increase for the county of between 6,000 and 7,000 people for the plan period.Housing demand projections in the Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning Guidelines allows for a total of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.21