Cllrs’ concern that Trim masterplan is being ‘developer driven’

Concerns that not all landowners are being consulted as part of the preparation of a masterplan for the lands earmarked for the expansion of Trim's town centre were expressed at the September meeting of Trim Municipal District Council, while disappointment was also expressed that the masterplan appeared to be developer led rather than Meath County Council taking the lead on it.

Both Cllr Noel French and Cathaoirelach Ronan Moore told how they had been contacted by landowners who had not been consulted on the draft masterplan that was recently submitted to Meath County Council.

At last week's MD Cllr French asked for an update on the masterplan and Director of Services Des Foley outlined that the first draft was submitted in April and reviewed by the council's forward planning team who had issued their comments and recommendations to the promoters in May.

He explained that some of the issues highlighted were phasing and delivery of infrastructure for these lands, the protection and preservation of the town wall, open space provision, landscaping, appropriate assessment and strategic environmental assessment and particularly traffic and transport matters.

A meeting took place in June to discuss these points with the promoters who would then go back and revisit the draft and Mr Foley confirmed that they had no contact since them.

"Essentially we are waiting for the next draft of the masterplan to be submitted and propose come to councillors at that point with the masterplan as its evolving. It's a work in progress. It is still at an early stage. There are a lot of issues that are to be worked on. As soon as they respond, we can arrange that presentation," he said.

However, Cllr French said he was "very disappointed" and it was his understanding that the council planners were taking the lead in it rather than it being developer led.

"It's too important an area to be left with the developers to see what they want put in there, then Meath County Council reacting to that and then councillors having a look at it after that. The whole area is so hugely important it should be council driven. It is an area that is going to make or break Trim."

He went on to say that he had been told that one of the landowners in that area is not involved. "How can an area in the middle of the masterplan not be involved in the development of the masterplan? One of the landowners did contact me and said he was not involved with the plan."

Cathaoirleach Cllr Ronan Moore said as the area contains council-owned lands they should be taking the lead in the plan. He added that he would like to see the first plan that was submitted and what the feedback was to see what the developers have in mind. He asked that it would be given to them at their next meeting.

Cllr Joe Fox said he was also disappointed they had not made progress pointing out that the site was being talked about for 25 years. "I know it is complicated with multiple owners and we have a stake in it too.

"I think it is urgent now, it is a pivotal site for the town, we have a fabulous building that it tucked away and the whole idea is to link that new part with the old part of the town. It would be a major boost for Trim and we need a fairly substantial input into it ourselves."

Director of Services Des Foley said he fully appreciated that the lands were critical and strategic lands for Trim. In terms of the masterplan process, he explained that lots of lands throughout the county are subject to masterplans and it would be standard practice that the landowners would submit their master plan proposals which would then be commented on by the planning team.

"There would be a lot of toing and froing until it got to a point where the masterplan is agreed. I'm very mindful of the masterplan being one that both the executive and the councillors can stand over."

Cllr Moore said he knew of another entity that would be centrally involved that also hadn't much in way of contact for a number of years and made the point that all landowners and entities should be included.

Cllr French said he was concerned to hear there is more than one landowner not involved and questioned how they can have a masterplan for an overall area where a number of groups or owners are not involved in the masterplan?

Mr Foley assured councillors that the masterplan for the lands would be agreed and approved by the council and that insofar as that is the case, the council will be leading on it, but added that they do have to work with all the landowners in getting to that point.