Councilwerenot‘underhand’ withDonoreplanningprocess
MEATH County Council did nothing ‘underhand’ in relation to the Part 8 planning process in respect of a new housing estate in Donore, Director of Services Fiona Lawless told the Laytown/Bettystown area meeting.
She was reacting to comments from councillors who felt that more debate should have been afforded the development after concerns were expressed by local residents.
But she said that the council ‘clearly spelt out’ all matters relating to the planning during the process.
She added that some ‘derogatory’ statements were sent into the council about it.
‘It is a difficult situation. The council does not have a lot of land for housing and it is a crisis. We are trying to do something to develop the site and it was clearly explained. 20 emails were sent out to clarify the process. We need to build houses and the council are trying to do the right thing,’ she said.
Cllr Wayne Harding said the council had worked with the community when the Boyne Greenway was being developed and planned and together they came up with a solution. He felt a similiar process should have been used here.
‘ The concerns of the community were not taken on board in Donore,’ he said.
Cllr Stephen McKee said the provision of housing was a good thing, it was the process that was the issue.
Cllr Annie Hoey had raised the matter, stating that she was new to the council and ‘didn’t get the full amount of information’ she would have liked.
‘I feel we were left the dark about it,’ Cllr Paddy Meade added, stating that he had sought two amendments to the proposals and now wanted to stop the process before it goes any further. ‘ The planners need to come back to us.’
Cathaoirleach Sharon Keogan said she had a public meeting about it and ‘ the ball was dropped by all the councillors in the middle of an election.’
She remarked, ‘ We need housing but we need to get it right.’
It was agreed that the planning department be invited to attend the next meeting to discuss the matter.
The proposed new estate at An Riasc in Donore is a mix of one bedroom and two bedroomed houses in an area zoned for social and affordable housing.
For Paddy Meade, speaking at the May meeting, said getting affordable sites for people to build is vital.
‘ To me, the affordable sites was the big positive in this plan and now that is going to be delayed. People can’t get planning and I have a list of people who want to buy sites there.
‘Is this site in the full interests of Donore,’ he added, saying there had been concerns about the green area and privacy at nearby St Mary’s Villas.
‘ There is a high density of social housing there and I’d favour affordable housing. This needs to be well designed and needs to integrate into the present scheme,’ Cllr McKee continued, stating that there were also traffic concerns.