Leitrim County Council has published a proposed Variation to the
Leitrim County Development Plan 2009-2015 to incorporate a new Core Strategy and a number of other detailed matters. The proposed Variation includes changes to some residential land use zonings in the main towns, 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.
Leitrim County Council has recently published a Variation of the current Leitrim County Development Plan 2009-2015 to incorporate a new Core Strategy and a number of other detailed matters. The new Core Strategy is based on the population figures and growth targets set out in the Border Region Planning Guidelines 2010-2022. The Variation includes proposals for rezoning/dezoning of lands in Ballinamore, Drumshanbo, Manorhamilton, Mohill, Carrigallen, Dromahair, Dromod, Drumkeerin, Kinlough, Leitrim and Tullaghan. The Variation will also impact on the Carrick on Shannon Local Area Plan.
The Variation notes that an analysis of population targets and housing supply shows a considerable excess of housing stock in the region. It states that estimates of future housing demand and land requirements must take account of both long term population targets and the current state of the housing market in the Region. It confirms that the Regional population targets applying to County Leitrim give a population increase for the period 2010-2016 of 600 persons for Carrick on Shannon and 1,902 for the rest of the County. As a result of the excess in current residential zoning, the Variation proposes to phase development on some lands by designating them as a strategic reserve for the longer term. In addition, the Variation proposes to dezone some residential lands and to rezone some areas to other uses.
The statutory procedure for the proposed Variation allows public consultation at this stage, prior to the final decision of County Councillors. The proposed Variation and related documents are available on the County Council’s website at
www.leitrimcoco.ie and public submissions can now be made before the deadline of
Wednesday 15th June 2011.