Councillors deny 'making a hash' of Castlebar Area Plan
Public submissions are now open on the draft Local Area Plan for Castlebar.
Castlebar councillors have hit out at claims they ‘made a hash’ of the town’s Local Area Plan.
A meeting of Castlebar Municipal District heard that public consultation is now open following a draft direction from the Minister for Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Office of the Planning Regular (OPR) had rejected alterations made to the plan by Castlebar councillors and claimed elected members' changes were inconsistent and failed to estimate the level of housing needed on certain zoned lands.
The OPR has contended that the Local Area Plan as adopted fails to include an accurate core strategy table and, in particular, does not set out a table which estimates the quantum of housing that will be delivered on lands zoned 'Existing Residential', the quantum to be delivered on mixed-use town centre and opportunity sites and the quantum to be delivered on lands zoned 'New Residential'.
The OPR said the Local Area Plan includes material which zones additional residential land above what is required for the town having regard to the growth targets for Castlebar under the core strategy of the Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028.
The OPR believes that the current Local Area Plan is inconsistent with the objectives of the Development Plan of the area.
Castlebar councillors told last week’s meeting that they had "done their best" and the alterations they made to the plan were done with a view to creating more housing in the county town and its environs.
Councillors said "fake" and "disingenuous" headlines were created around the issue.
Cllr Ger Deere said he took exception to a potential election candidate who said they "made a hash of it".
The two-week public consultation period closes on February 13 with the public urged to make submissions.
A report from the council's chief executive will then be compiled on the submissions, with recommendations as to how the draft direction received from the minister on the matter should be addressed.
