Council begins consultation on new county development plan

Meath County Council is preparing for the construction of 30,000 new homes in the county over the next ten years, as it begins a review of the existing County Development Plan and preparation of the next seven year plan.

New guidelines from the Department of Housing have instructed the council to provide for the construction of close 3,000 new houses annually.

Dunshaughlin Cllr Gerry O Connor pointed out that in a bid to tackle the housing crisis, the council has been given a target of providing 2,942 new houses annually from 2025 to 2034, and 1,362 new houses annually from 2035 to 2040. He also welcomed the fact that the council will be varying the existing development plans which will run out in two years to provide the additional housing.

“For the last development plan we were told to dezone land or phase zoned land so they couldn't activate it. Now we have to provide for 2,942 new houses every year for the next 10 years.”Cllr Helen Meyer of Ashbourne said her biggest concern with development is the lack of provision for parking.

“There are 68 age friendly apartments under construction in Ashbourne and there are just 17 parking spaces provided but 78 bicycle spaces - for an age friendly development. It is ludicrous. Apart from the resident themselves, they will have carers coming to them, people visiting It is going to be chaos.”

“They say there is a great pubic transport system but I get phonecalls every day about buses not turning up. There are no bus shelters or seating at the bus stop servicing those apartments, so elderly residents going for hospital appointments have to stand in the rain waiting for buses.

“There is another scheme of houses nearby with 30 houses and no provision for any parking,” she said.

“Providing housing is very important but we also to need at look at amenities, green spaces and parking.”

Cllr Nick Killian recalled that they had been told to dezone land that had already been zoned for housing by the planning regulator when preparing the current development plan.

“The government is now telling us to provide for 2,900 new housing units per year - that is the highest outside of Dublin. I hope the regulator has no say this time.

“I am very much in favour of this new process starting. I hope the executive will provide workshops and training for the new members so that they will understand what is happening,” he said.

A Pre-Draft Strategic Issues Paper has been prepared by the council for public consultation “in order to stimulate debate and encourage participation in the process.”

The issue is currently on display until 4pm Tuesday 18th November and submissions regarding objectives and policies to deliver an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable can be made by 4pm, 18th November.

The Planning Authority cannot consider submissions or observations relating to the zoning and/or rezoning of any lands at this Pre-Draft stage of the County Development Plan review process. These more detailed matters will be considered during the Draft Plan stage of the process.