Cllrs support contentious rezoning in Moynalty

The rezoning of six hectares of land outside Moynalty, which was opposed by both the Meath County Manager and the Department of the Environment, has created divisions amongst Kells area members of Meath County Council. The lands have been zoned by the councillors against the wishes of the Department and the opinion of the county manager, Tom Dowling, causing Cllr Catherine Yore to describe the change of land use as completely inappropriate for the character of the village of Moynalty. The two sections of land in question straddle the road beside the Moynalty GAA grounds and the local authority housing estate, Belair. In the original submissions received on the Moynalty Draft Local Area Plan (LAP), Thomas Duignan of Moynalty and Patrick Sheridan of Galashane, Moynalty, sought zoning for residential development. It was asserted in the submissions that Mr Sheridan's parcel of land of 6.14 hectares or 16.83 acres and Mr Duignan's 11.8 hectares (29.4 acres) could be connected to the proposed public sewer to be provided in the area. The county manager said that the lands are outside the plan area for the village and any proposed development of this land would, therefore, be assessed against the objectives and policies of the development plan. He reported: "There are sufficient lands zoned for residential purposes within the existing development plan's statement. The zoning of this land for urban-related purposes would contravene the objectives of the County Development Plan, which is to support development that promotes urban cohesiveness and consolidation. The land if zoned would therefore be contrary to the principles of sustainability." An amendment was put out on public display in the second phase of the process, in which three hectares of land from each property would be zoned. The manager was still against this, and a submission was also made by the Department of the Environment opposing it. Its submission states that the Department has considerable concern about the proposal to zone six hectares of land, distant from the village centre, separated from the village by unzoned, undeveloped greenfield for low density residential development. It describes the location as inappropriate and that the provision exceeds the housing allocation stated in the County Development Plan. "The Department views the rezoning seriously as there is no justification based on need and that it is contrary to the objectives stated in the LAP itself, namely to develop the village on a 'rational, sequential' basis, and requested that this proposed amendment be deleted," the report said. Cllr Yore voiced her concerns on the impact the zoning would have on the people of Moynalty, saying that there had been a large number of representations made to her regarding the zoning proposal. "Overwhelmingly, the people are vigorously opposed and concerned about this zoning," Cllr Yore said. "I am perplexed as to why there is a need to zone 14.82 acres (six hectares) when there are already 10 acres of residential land set aside for residential purposes in a rich cultural area. I feel this will have significant impact on one of Ireland's finest village communities," she said. She added that a number of constituents had highlighted a series of dysfunctional elements attached to the proposed development, with one of the key issues the location of the zoned land, so far from the village centre, that it implies future massive development, which would be completely inappropriate for the character of the village of Moynalty, which is one of the "jewels in Meath's crown". The FG councillor went on: "I acknowledge planning amendments notices were placed in a series of locations outside Moynalty village; however, it has become apparent to me that our consultation process must engage the people at local level in a more informative way. For example, I will be moving to propose changes to how final planning amendments are communicated to the community who, after all, are on the receiving end of local planning decisions." She said Moynalty has led the way and is to be commended for its efforts in being awarded the tidiest village in Meath 14 times, a gold medal on six occasions, a silver medal for the European Villages, and a special European award for the landscaping European Entente Florale award. "Future generations should not inherit the legacy of shortsighted developments but be proud of carefully developed housing made available," she said. "Moynalty village is an example of adequate planning to date. Let's not be responsible for the possibility of this to be destroyed. Perhaps also looking at planned models of villages in Germany and France could be studied more." Supporters of the zoning, Cllrs Eugene Cassidy and Bryan Reilly, point that the zoning on the Carlanstown Road is low density. "A proper framework plan will be put in place for the development," Cllr Reilly said. "The hope is that it will eventually link the village with the football grounds and neighbouring houses, and provide for footpaths and lighting between the two," he added. Cllr Reilly pointed out that the main reason for zoning lands away from the main village was to maintain the integrity and fabric of the village which has won numerous Tidy Towns awards and other prizes. The area was already active with the council estate and the GAA grounds there. Cllr Eugene Cassidy also pointed out that it was a low density zoning which can provide for young people in the area who may wish to live locally. Options include one-off housing or a small enclave. "People are portraying this as if its a major development - you might only see a half dozen houses each side of the road," Cllr Cassidy pointed out. "The sewerage facility extends to those lands, so they will be serviced. We have to cater for the needs of the village - the people of Moynalty need to live in Moynalty," he said.