I am calling on Roscommon County Council to revise, update, and create a new Creagh Area Plan.  The current plan was previously developed to cover the years 2008 - 2014.  Recognising that this work will take time, given new legislation since 2014 and also the need to consult and engage with Galway County Council, it would be important to put a realistic timeline together to move on this issue.

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to revise, update, and create a new Creagh Area Plan. The current plan was previously developed to cover the years 2008 - 2014.  Recognising that this work will take time, given new legislation since 2014 and also the need to consult and engage with Galway County Council, it would be important to put a realistic timeline together to move on this issue.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

The area of Creagh is immediately adjacent to the town of Ballinasloe, which is designated as a Key Town in the Northern and Western Regional Assembly’s ‘Regional and Spatial Economic Strategy’ (RSES). Given that Creagh predominantly functions as part of Ballinasloe, it is considered that the most appropriate way to plan for the future of Creagh is in conjunction with Ballinasloe.  Significant changes to planning legislation have been introduced in the Planning and Development Act 2024 and Part 3 of the Act (relating to plan making) is expected to commence in the early part of 2026.  Future plans will be prepared in accordance with the new legislation. 

Timelines will be developed for future plan preparation, including the County Development Plan and any Co-Ordinated Area Plans that may be jointly undertaken with neighbouring Authorities, following the commencement of the new legislation. At that time it would be opportune to engage with the NWRA and Galway County Council on this matter. As per Section 73 of the 2024 Act, a Co-Ordinated Area Plan would be required for an area identified in a ‘Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy’ as requiring such a plan. 

Cllr. Duffy thanked the Executive for the response and highlighted that the immediate Creagh area comprises 13 townlands, along with numerous new developments and small businesses providing employment. She noted recent significant works, including the refurbishment of the Beagh roundabout, and stressed that further improvements are needed. She called for a review of planning in the area in line with the North West Regional Assembly’s (NWRA) direction to identify area’s with potential for increasing urban footfall.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Duffy

           SECONDED by Cllr. Connolly

It was AGREED to revise, update, and create a new Creagh Area Plan.

Members supported the motion, stating that it has been too long for an area of this size to be without an up-to-date Local Area Plan. They suggested developing a joint plan for Ballinasloe, incorporating Creagh, in collaboration with Galway County Council, and agreed that now is an opportune time to bring stakeholders together for a meeting. Members also referenced the rapid development of Athlone and Ballinasloe, emphasising the future importance of the Creagh area.

Director of Services, Mark Keaveney, advised that the Forward Planning section has engaged with Galway County Council on the matter, but no timeline has been set. He noted that under new legislation, a coordinated area plan will be required, involving several steps.

Cllr. Duffy thanked members for their support and requested that the Notice of Motion be circulated to Galway County Council and the NWRA.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Duffy

           SECONDED by Cllr. Connolly

It was AGREED to circulate the Notice of Motion to Galway County Council and the NWRA.