Land zonings in Carrick and Blayney to be referred to planning regulator
Additional land zonings for housing, voted through at the October meeting of Monaghan County Council against the recommendation of Chief Executive Robert Burns, are to be referred to the Office of the Planning Regulator, councillors were advised by Senior Planner Adrian Hughes.
The meeting saw the members formally adopt their revised County Development Plan for 2025-2031, which now has an 84% increase in the lands in the county with a housing zoning designation, in line with a directive issued by the government to local authorities in July 2025.
In addition, members agreed to variation proposals to zone extra housing land in Carrickmacross and Castleblayney contrary to the Chief Executive’s recommendation.
Mr Hughes said the Office of the Planning Regulator will have to be informed of the two proposed variations and it is up to the OPR if it wants to go to the Minister to seek an intervention.
The senior planner said the revised Development Plan will accelerate the delivery of housing in the county and comes into effect immediately upon its adoption.
In line with conflict of interest rules, Cllrs Noel Keelan (SF) and Alan Johnston (FG) withdrew from the meeting while discussion of the proposed variations took place.
The Cathaoirleach, Cllr Aidan Campbell (FG) formally moved a variation altering the residential zoning of 1.278 hectares of land at Corracloghan, Castleblayney, stating that this will facilitate the provision of low-density residential development in a structured and co-ordinated manner that he feels is consistent with the established pattern of development in the area.
Seconding, Cllr Paul Gibbons (SF) said the proposal has already been approved by the members of the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District.
All the members present voted in favour.
Cllr P.J. O’Hanlon (FF) proposed a resolution to change the zoning of 4.321 hectares of land at Magheross, Carrickmacross, to residential zoning from its existing designation for industry, enterprise and employment purposes, stating that this will facilitate the delivery of much-needed housing in Carrickmacross.
He also reasoned that current market trends indicate that the supply of these housing types in Carrickmacross is insufficient to meet existing demand, and the lands in question are strategically located within walking distance of the town centre and a range of amenities.
“Carrickmacross is the fastest-growing town in the north east,” Cllr O’Hanlon stated, “with a 15% population increase last year and a similar rate of growth predicted for this year.”
He added that around 100 private houses are being built in the area each year but the town is also growing economically and they need safeguards against a housing shortage. This proposal, he said, will facilitate a company that has been building houses in Carrickmacross for the last half a century.
“We need private and social housing in Carrickmacross and I am putting this forward because of the demand,” Cllr O’Hanlon told the meeting.
Seconding, Cllr Peter Conlon (FG) said there had probably been caution about zoning housing land in Carrickmacross in the original Development Plan but the council was working to the previous guidelines then. “We need to futureproof our housing plans for the people of Carrickmacross,” he stated.
Cllr Colm Carthy (SF) said the variation has already been unanimously agreed at MD level. “I know this goes against the advice of the executive,” he commented, “but it is for the benefit of the south Monaghan area and that is a no-brainer for the elected representatives.”
All councillors present voted in favour.
“This will speed housing delivery in the county,” stated Cllr Sean Gilliland (FG) in formally proposing the adoption of the revised Development Plan. He commended Mr Hughes, Director of Planning Services Cathal Flynn and their team for their work on the revision and the workshops held for the elected members.
Cllr Pat Treanor (SF) seconded and the adoption was unanimously approved.