Ballinasloe Town Council has published a proposed Variation to the Ballinasloe Development Plan 2009-2015 to incorporate a new Core Strategy. The proposed Variation includes significant changes to residential land use zoning in the town, primarily through the phasing of development on such lands. Submissions on the Development Plan Variation can now be made to the Town Council.
As we have reported previously in our Newsletter, the new Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 requires the incorporation of “Core Strategies” in all Development Plans. The Core Strategies should provide a clear evidence-based development framework for Plans, having regard to the National Spatial Strategy and relevant Regional Planning Guidelines.
Ballinasloe Town Council has recently published a Variation of the current Ballinasloe Town Development Plan 2009-2015 to incorporate a new Core Strategy and revise some of the residential land use zoning provisions. The new Core Strategy is based on the population figures and growth targets set out in the West Region Planning Guidelines 2010-2022. The target population growth for the town up to 2016 is 1,540, for which a housing land requirement of some 36 hectares has been calculated. The Variation notes that the current Plan has over 100 hectares of undeveloped residential lands and, therefore, a very substantial reduction is required.
In order to comply with the new population growth target and avoid excessive zoning of residential lands, the Variation proposes to introduce a phased approach to residential development. All residential zonings are proposed to be designated Phase 1 (during Plan period) or Phase 2 (a strategic reserve normally for development after the current Plan period). The Variation also proposes to remove the highest density residential zoning (zoning Z3 allowed up to 50 units/hectare) and to consolidate the general residential zoning with a normal density in the range of 15-25 units/hectare (6-10 units/acre).
The statutory procedure for the proposed Variation allows public consultation at this stage, prior to the final decision of Town Councillors. The proposed Variation and related documents are available on the Town Council’s website at www.ballinasloe.ie and public submissions can now be made before the deadline of Thursday 9th June 2011.