Council vote to free up more land for housing

Variations to the County Monaghan Development Plan designed to increase the amount of land available for housing in Carrickmacross and Castleblayney were put forward at the July meeting of Monaghan County Council.

The proposed material alterations add further to the significantly expanded housing zonings contained in the 2025-2031 planning blueprint after it was revised in line with the new housing growth requirements introduced by the Government to the National Planning Framework.

Senior Planner Adrian Hughes told the local authority meeting that the revised plan had increased the zoning of residential lands in the county. In May the plan had gone out to public consultation and 29 submissions were received from the public and statutory bodies. Council members now had to consider the plan and amend it, with any variations going forfurther public consultation.

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr Aidan Campbell (FG) moved a variation to the plan relating to an adjustment in the residential zoning of an additional 1.278 hectares of land in Castleblayney, stating that the parcel of land in question represented a realistic opportunity to provide housing “and this is what we are all looking for”.

Seconding, Cllr Paul Gibbons (SF) said the variation will facilitate development on the edge of an existing built area and represented and opportunity to extend the existing settlement.

Cllr P J O’Hanlon (FF) proposed a variation to change the zoning of 4.321 hectares of land at Magheross, Carrickmacross from industrial, enterprise and employment to residential, stating that the inclusion of the site will facilitate the delivery of much-needed housing within the South Monaghan town. Cllr O’Hanlon said he believes the piece of ground will provide housing over the duration of the development plan, and is a highly sustainable location within walking distance of the town centre.

“This is a ready-to-go site if we get it over the line,” stated Cllr Peter Conlon (FG) in seconding the proposal.

Both variations were agreed by the elected membership.

Mr Hughes said the plan will now move back into public consultation on the variations only, and come back before the members in September or October.

Cllr Seán Conlon (SF) sounded a cautionary note, stating that the Council is “rushing headlong into considerable expansion of land for housing” but attention also needs to be given to providing community and social infrastructure. Cllr Conlon referred to an 85-unit housing development taking place at the Clones Road in Monaghan Town which, he said, has no childcare facility provision.

Cllr Conlon said there is sometimes a considerable gap in playschool, creche and afterschool facilities when housing is developed in the county.

“We need a matching level of local authority-supported community infrastructure,” he remarked.

Chief Executive Robert Burns said the county council places a lot of store in developing community and social infrastructure. Such infrastructure is a challenge for the council because they didn’t receive funding for it like they did for housing and roads.

“This is a frustration of mine,” Mr Burns stated, telling Cllr Conlon that the council will consider his points in relation to the Clones Road development and revert back to him.