·         Zone the subject lands at Ballindrumlea as New Residential.

·         Zone the subject lands at Arm Cashel as New Residential.

·         Zone the subject lands at Knockroe for Strategic Residential use.

·         Consider drainage works on River Jiggy and its tributaries while assessing lands identified as flood zones.

Meetings Administrator, Ms. Karen Hanley, read the following Notice of Motion and reply.

Zone the subject lands at Ballindrumlea as New Residential

I wish to propose the following land in the map below with a yellow boundary at Ballindrumlea Castlerea for new residential zoning. (This Notice of Motion was accompanied by a map identifying the specific portion of land.)

Reply:

As per the Section 28 NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities, Roscommon County Council has been assigned a specific annual housing growth requirement of 392 units per annum.  In addition, the Guidelines allow for ‘additional provision’ of up to 50% above this annual growth requirement. The revised Core Strategy and the associated land use zoning strategy as set out in Proposed Variation No. 1 utilises the full extent of the 50% additional provision allowable, distributed to zoned settlements across the county, with the distribution appropriately maintaining a focus on facilitating a proportionately higher growth opportunity to areas of highest population and greatest housing demand.   

The revised Castlerea Settlement Plan, in seeking to align with the above referenced and other applicable statutory Guidelines, has prioritised more centrally located and sequentially positioned lands, thereby ensuring consistency with national and regional planning policy objectives which seek to reduce urban sprawl, maximise the use of existing infrastructure and services, and support the sustainable growth of settlements.

Having regard to the location of the subject lands, their peripheral nature in the context of the settlement of Castlerea and the availability of alternative lands within the Settlement Plan boundary, it is not considered necessary or appropriate to consider zoning the subject lands as part of Variation No. 1. It is considered appropriate that the subject lands remain unzoned and outside the Castlerea Settlement Plan boundary at the present time. 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

               SECONDED by Cllr. McDermott.

It was AGREED that the land in the map with a yellow boundary at Ballindrumlea Castlerea is zoned as ‘New Residential’ zoning.

Meetings Administrator, Ms. Karen Hanley, read the following Notice of Motion and reply.

Zone the subject lands at Arm Cashel as New Residential

I wish to propose the lands outlined in yellow in the map below at Arm Cashel for new residential zoning. (This Notice of Motion was accompanied by a map identifying the specific portion of land.)

Reply

As per the Section 28 NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities, Roscommon County Council has been assigned a specific annual housing growth requirement of 392 units per annum.  In addition, the Guidelines allow for ‘additional provision’ of up to 50% above this annual growth requirement. The revised Core Strategy and the associated land use zoning strategy as set out in Proposed Variation No. 1 utilises the full extent of the 50% additional provision allowable, distributed to zoned settlements across the county, with the distribution appropriately maintaining a focus on facilitating a proportionately higher growth opportunity to areas of highest population and greatest housing demand.  

The revised Castlerea Settlement Plan, in seeking to align with the above referenced guidelines, has prioritised more centrally located and sequentially positioned lands, thereby ensuring consistency with national and regional planning policy objectives which seek to reduce urban sprawl, maximise the use of existing infrastructure and services, and support the sustainable growth of settlements.

A substantial extent of lands in Castlerea have already been identified for new residential growth within the current development plan period. There is no demonstrable evidence that the extent of lands already zoned and proposed to be zoned for ‘New Residential’ development in Castlerea are insufficient to facilitate population growth and housing demand in the town over the remaining duration of this County Development Plan. It is also relevant to note that in addition to the 8.2 ha. of ‘New Residential’ lands identified in Castlerea, other significant opportunities to accommodate residential development continue to remain available in other land use zones (including ‘Town Core’, ‘Outer Core’ and ‘Existing Residential’ zones).  Having regard to the location of the subject lands, remote from the Settlement Plan boundary, as well as the availability of alternative lands within the Settlement Plan boundary, it is not considered necessary or appropriate to consider zoning the subject lands as part of Variation No. 1. It is considered appropriate that the subject lands remain unzoned and outside the Castlerea Settlement Plan boundary. 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

               SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED that the lands outlined in yellow in the map at Arm Cashel, Castlerea be zoned ‘New Residential’.

Meetings Administrator, Ms. Karen Hanley, read the following Notice of Motion and reply.

Zone the subject lands at Knockroe for Strategic Residential Use

I wish to propose the lands outlined in yellow in the map below at Knockroe Castlerea for strategic residential reserve. (This Notice of Motion was accompanied by a map identifying the specific portion of land.)

Reply

The Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022) provide for the identification of longer-term development areas and strategic development sites for future growth, particularly where additional infrastructure provision may be required. The Guidelines however also emphasise that the zoning of residential land should be aligned with Core Strategy requirements and housing need, with priority afforded to serviced and serviceable lands capable of delivering housing within the plan period.

In addition, having regard to the current NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities wherein reference is made to the potential to identify ‘Long-Term Strategic and Sustainable Development Sites/Opportunity Areas’ it is explicitly set out that the identification of such lands “should be focused on the five cities and Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan areas, designated Regional Growth Centres, and designated Key Growth Centres.” Castlerea does not therefore come within scope for the identification of future strategic residential development areas. 

Cllr. Fitzmaurice noted that a number of towns in County Mayo with populations comparable to Castlerea had been allocated Strategic Residential Reserve lands. He expressed the view that a similar approach should be considered for Castlerea in order to support future growth and housing development opportunities.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

               SECONDED by Cllr. Conboy

It was AGREED that the lands outlined in yellow in the map at Knockroe Castlerea are zoned as ’strategic residential reserve’.

Meetings Administrator, Ms. Karen Hanley, read the following Notice of Motion and reply.

Consider drainage works on River Jiggy and its tributaries while assessing lands identified as flood zones

I also request the planning authority take into consideration recent drainage works on the River Jiggy and its tributaries in their assessment of lands identified as flood zones in Roscommon Town. (This Notice of Motion was accompanied by a map identifying the specific portion of land.)

Reply

Flood Zones are identified nationally by the Office of Public Works under the National Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessments (SFRA) prepared at county / settlement level in the course of plan preparation reflect the nationally identified flood zones and are required to be prepared in accordance with The Planning System and Flood Risk Management -Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2009) as issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). 

Cllr. Fitzmaurice advised that he was prepared to withdraw the Notice of Motion, having regard to the earlier decision to defer Cllr. Keogh’s Notice of Motion to the September Plenary Meeting, where the matter could be considered further.

Following the conclusion of the discussion on Notice of Motion 3.26 Cllr. Fitzmaurice referred to Amendment 77 (ii) in the Proposed Variation No. 1 proposing to “Change unzoned land off the R-361 (Trien Road) to ‘New Residential’ on the portion closest to the road and ‘Agriculture’ on the remaining portion to the rear’’. He proposed instead that it would all remain zoned as ‘Agriculture’.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

               SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED that it would all remain zoned as ‘Agriculture’.

Ms. Grier sought confirmation from Members that there was agreement in respect of the remaining proposals contained within the Proposed Variation No. 1 as published for public consultation.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

               SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED that the remaining proposals in Proposed Variation No. 1 are approved.