Theme:
CDP review 2021 to 2023
OPW - pre-draft submission
OPW - pre-draft submission
Please find attached the EPA's submission to be considered at this time.
Response to statutory SEA Scoping Notice
SEA Scoping submission
This submission from Sligo Greenway Co-op is being made in relation to the closed railway line currently running between Collooney in Co Sligo and Athenry in Co Galway
Response to statutory notification regarding SEA Scoping
Since the previous plan was published there have been important policy developments which are relevant to accessible and integrated public transport. The Department of Transport (DoT) considers these should be reflected in the proposed Plan, and particularly in chapter 8 titled “Transport and Mobility’.
Response to questions included in the Issues Paper
The Authority welcomes consultation on the review of the Council’s Development Plan and the preparation of a new County Development Plan. The Authority submits the following observations for the Councils consideration which may inform the preparation of the Draft County Development Plan.
We feel this plan needs to provide for the development or restoration of local communities like Carraroe . Our community has been divided by the new motor way and as result has lost its unique character of a Village . It is suffering as result of such planning and development .If you look at the position that exists we have roads running through what was once a Village with large commercial Signage instead of Finger Sinage Large industrial Lights on old wooden poles . A junction with five access points and poor sights lines ( suspect not in accordance with national guidance ) which is causing a serious problem of children crossing very busy roads and junctions .The traffic has to enter a cul de sac to drop children at the national school and exit again on to this major road junction .This situation is unsatisfactory and dangerous .An Accident waiting to happen ..yet this situation was created when the motor was was developed .
What is now required by our community is the restoration of Village Community Concept to the area with appropiate signage , lighting realligment of roads to remove the need for all traffic to move through this small area .. Village life restored by appropiate planning of residential supported housing to allow our elderly continue to live in our community instead of having to move into distant nursing homes away for where they lived all heir lives and where thy had social contact and family .There exists plenty of green fields around what was once the Village which can be developed with housing to cluster it more as well as nice park to relax and feel safe .The park in front of the school is a waste of space as it cannot be used with traffic noise and lack of any privacy .Its in fact a carpark in all but name .We have previously requested and were promised a Local Area Plan but to date that is not available. We have advocated for Sligo Town Bus Service to be returned to the area and have suggested it continue from Greenfort estate up Cairns Hill down to Holywell back into Carraror Church and into Sligo Town .This would allow a large number of our population of approx 5000 to avail of public transport and reduce carbon emmisions and traffic ( Cars) in Sligo Town.It would also if the elderly supported housing project was developed at the Church area allow our senior citizens continue to live in the area and be supported .The bus service would allow then reach their GP , Pharmacy, Hospital, Shops and Social Activities etc There is already a serviced area adjacent to the centre which we have identified for such a development .The issue of accessing our Community Sports facility is a major issue in the c Community as there is no footpath from the School Junction to our sports facility at Cuilbeg . This results in school children having to be bussed to the facility as the school is in a land locked site and sports facilities are not sufficient. The roads around our Community do not have footpaths and therefore walking on our roads is dangerous. This is the reason we advocate the idea of re-alligmnment of roads and traffic to allow the concept of Village life to be restored as opposed to us as a community to be driven through. Creaet a circle around an area where more people can be encouraged to live especially our elderly population and keep cars lorries out such a designated area. We are fortunate to have nice facilities as Lough Gill, Dooney Roack Slish Wood, Cairns Hill , Holywell within our catchment area but the idea of re-opening a major quarry on the shores of Lough Gill with blasting of rock down a further 30 metres and pumping water into lough Gill stream is considered unacceptable by our Community .This area is a Special Area of Conversation and how anyone could contemplate giving planning for such is unbelivable . This will bring approx 160 HGVs on to our community roads each day with serious consequences for our people. The lake supplies Sligo Town with water also which is another serious consideration.
Commericial activity is curerntly planned and provided on the old N4 which should be confined to that area but if proper planning and development occured then that area should be serviced from a transport perspective by a direct link from the motorway nearer to Ballindrehid Bridge area which would have impact of removing large service vechicles form the centre of our Village community . Perhap this should be revisited in the planning of te future.
Why am I asked to make new observation, I only want to lodge my submission as follows: This is my submission in support for the re-opening of the Sligo-Athenry railway line as part of the Atlantic Railway Corridor. I trust this will be acceptable.
This is my submission in support for the re-opening of the Sligo-Athenry railway line as part of the Atlantic Railway Corridor. I trust this will be acceptable. Plesase ensure this submission is presented to the relevant person/s. Thank you
Addition to our Previous submission :
Sewerage System
:The provision of a connected sewerage system is required in Carraroe to allow it be linked to Sligo Town System.This is in the interest of our enviornment and in allignment with Strategic Goals to which Ireland and Sligo County have committeed.There is in place the necessary swerage pipes already extending from Cornageeha to Carraroe oposite the Church which could be activated and all the area connected up to such a system .This would as already indicated assist with our objective of having a supported housing compllex provided in the area.
Speeding:
As already highlighted we in Carraroe do not have foorpaths or cycle lanes around what was once our Village and as indicated our desire is to have a a Village concept restored .This requires footpaths on all the roads adjacent to the Village centre .Cars speeding in excess of the existing limits, which in our opinion are way two high for a built up community, is a serious problem and requires serious calming measures including Garda activity to end such a danger . It also commom practice to have people driving into the area, especially at night , and doing spin wheels on the roads .One has only to travel on the roads and see the tyre marks to identify the locations where this dangerous activity is taking place .Perhaps if a controlled centre for such activity was established it may have effect of providing safer place and lessen the impacts but also removing such activity off our roads with obvious danger for other motorists.
Flooding :
This is a serious issue in the area and the rasons for same are not as yet properly understood .However it is said that there were places wekl recognised by the previous generation where flood plains occured and why planning was allowed on such is difficult to understand. It is a problem that occurs when heavy rains occurs and while there are gullies on roads perhaps tere insufficient and not cleaned out often enough. The issue of blasting at the Aughamore Quarry and ist impact on water tables etc is being speculated as a possible cause of same but we as a small community group do not have the expetise in this area .However Sligo County Councill should have such expertise available to examine this aspect .
CCTV : This is a very important facility in assisting communities provide safe place to live and work and should be develped.We are aware there is a Garda camera on the junction as one exists from town off the Motorway but it does not cover the full roundabout area .Perhaps it could be extended to a more strategic location .We did examine the idea previously and were able to obtaing support from property owners in the area, Parish Priest etc to have camers around the centre of the Village but our resourses did not allow such be developed . Perhaps a Sligo County Councill /Garda initative should be developed to provide such security to our community as well as other communities in the County .
Attached find addition to our previous submissions
Add Rathellen house to the list of protected structures.
Two storey, eight bay suburban residence which exhibites an exuberant blend of tastes and styles, Tudor stacks, numerous gables and mullioned windows. Built late 1700's/ early 1800's.
Many of the suburban residences of Finisklin area and surrounds have been lost over the years. Please ensure the same fate does not happen to Rathellen, it is an important structure of Sligo's rich architectural heritage.
Add the shopfront of 'McHughs' pub to the list of protected structures.
The modern timber shop front should be removed and the original shopfront underneath exposed and conserved and protected.
As part of any further use of the premises the future users should use the orginal shop front.
NTA Submission
Inland Fisheries Ireland Sumbmission attached.
Please refer to attached submission.
Sligo Chamber of Commerce CDP Issues paper
Please see the attached submission letter for detailed comments.
Please see the attached submission for detailed comments
Please see the attached submission for detailed comments.
Please see submission attached.
While it is unclear what the stated purpose is of the Issues Paper, we are informed, that by definition, the Draft Sligo County Development Plan (2023-2029) “outlines a vision for the area that it covers, specifies the type, amount and quality of development needed to achieve that vision and seeks to protect and enhance the environment and amenities. It provides the policy framework and necessary degree of certainty within which individual development decisions can be made over the life of the plan.” Furthermore, we are informed that under the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy the policy objectives are “grouped under three strategic goals identified as ‘Compact Growth’, ‘Enterprising Sligo’ and ‘Liveable Sligo.’”
The vision for County Sligo relied upon for this Issues Paper is currently being prepared in the Sligo County Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP), which is to be rebranded ‘Sligo 2030’, and due to be finalised by December 2021. While consistent, by reference, in both the ‘Draft Sligo 2030 Statement’ (LECP) and this Issues Paper “Sligo 2030 will also consider issues for the preparation of the Draft County Sligo Development Plan”, surely the purpose of the LECP (Sligo 2030) as it is branded ‘Sligo 2030 | One Voice One Vision’ is to provide that very vision upon which the Draft County Sligo Development Plan (2023-2029) will be based? On page three of the ‘Draft Sligo 2030 Statement’ (LECP), that purpose is clearly stated: “Sligo 2030 will look to the future while building on the demonstrable successes of recent years in County Sligo….” Until that vision is available and mandated, any draft of the development plan will appear rudderless.
Addressing ‘Climate Change’ in the LECP (Sligo 2030) is one of the four key areas of ambition; In “positioning Sligo as an exemplar region in addressing climate change in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals” there is a danger that it will be undertaken in isolation of the other three areas of ambition, where in fact it is fundamental to their successful delivery.
The purpose of this submission is to contribute specifically to the definition of a vision for Sligo County in the context of the twin global challenges of a Climate Emergency and a Biodiversity Crisis. This vision should be set, at a minimum, in the timeframe of the National Planning Framework (NPF) 2040 and its alignment must also be completely consistent in the context of the commitments signed up to by Ireland, in the legally binding International Treaty on Climate Change at COP21[1] in Paris (2015). It must also be sufficiently flexible and resilient to adapt to the more stringent commitments that may arise from COP26[2].
[Please refer to the attached file for the full submission]
[1] COP21; “The 21st Conference of the Parties”
[2] COP26; “The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference. It is scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 1st to 12th November 2021 under the presidency of the United Kingdom”. The Climate Change Committee in Britain published their 6th Carbon Budget which recommends a 68% emissions reduction target for the UK by 2030 and 78% by 2035. If this were to be agreed in COP26 that would mean an average emission reduction of 10.8% per annum.
Suggestions for improving sustainable mobility and liveable villages in North Sligo
Suggesions for improving sustainable mobility and liveable villages in North Sligo
Clarification of Rural Housing policy
Sligo Cycling Campaign is very pleased to see the emphasis on Sustainable Transport in the Issues paper published to facilitate discussion on the new County Development Plan. We are also very happy with the Submission regarding same from the National Transport Authority (NTA) and endorse all its recommendations.
We unreservedly welcome the statement that “Cars occupy too much space in towns and cities. The limited available public space should be used more efficiently for cycling, walking and various forms of public transport. The mobility of the future entails interlinked, attractive, resource-efficient and climate-friendly means of transport, contributing to a high quality of life in urban areas and well-connected rural areas.”
We also welcome the recognition in the Climate Change Adaptation and Action chapter of the link between land use, transportation policies and compact growth. In this context we are concerned that the submission by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, emphasises the need to plan for “future capacity” without reference to the link between transport and emissions. We welcome the recognition that the Local Authority Climate Action Plans will be required to deliver mitigation as well as adaptation measures.
We are aware that inserting policies regarding active and sustainable travel into the County Development Plan is but a necessary first step. Unless these policies are matched with real leadership and commitment they will not be implemented. The Current County Development Plan 2017 -2023 has some excellent policies regarding walking and cycling but these have not been realised in practice.
It is true that major funding didn’t become available until 2020 but in our view lack of progress is about more than a shortfall in funding. For Sligo to become truly walking and cycling friendly the movement of people walking and cycling has to be prioritised and that means less priority for cars.
Our responses to the questions posed in the Issues paper re sustainable transport are as follows -
Q: What are the biggest obstacles to mobility encountered by people who don’t drive or just want to avoid using private cars?
For people who wish to cycle instead of drive, the obstacles are –
For people who wish to walk instead of drive the obstacles are –
Walking and Cycling -Transport infrastructure Ireland submission:
The speed of vehicles through towns and villages and the lack of safe crossings on N Roads is a major deterrent to both walking and cycling. We are very concerned that the submission by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, (TII) highlights the Current Road Safety Strategy, (due to be superseded) as requiring “ acceptance of shared overall responsibilities and accountability between system designers and road users”. We reject shared responsibility as being equal between road users, eg a child and a HGV driver. If said child is knocked down by the HGV driver while crossing the N15 from her school to the bus -stop, the responsibility of the driver and designer are greater than that of the child. TII also states in its submission “It is of particular importance that policies and objectives are drafted which allow the network of national roads to continue to play the intended strategic role in catering for inter-urban and inter-regional transport requirements that will serve economic competitiveness and regional accessibility by providing faster, more efficient and safer access to and from our major ports, airports, cities and large towns.” There is no mention here of ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and local drivers in the many small towns and villages situated on these strategic EU TEN-T N Roads. We very much hope that the Development Plan will give at least as much consideration to the needs of local people including school children , adults, elderly people and those with mobility impairments in Rathcormac, Drumcliffe, Grange and Cliffoney as it does to faster, efficient inter-urban traffic.
Speed Limits: The Development Plan should mandate the introduction of 30 km speed limits in built up aeas. In February 2020 Ireland signed the Stockholm Declaration of the Third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. This was subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations. Paragraph 11 committed to: “mandate a maximum road travel speed of 30 km/h in areas where vulnerable road users and vehicles mix in a frequent and planned manner, except where strong evidence exists that higher speeds are safe, noting that efforts to reduce speed in general will have a beneficial impact on air quality and climate change as well as being vital to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries”
Q:Are there specific policies or measures which would help people shift to walking, cycling or public transport, if included in the development plan?
Yes, rectifying all of the above issues would make walking and cycling safe and attractive options. This can be done by adopting the recommendations in the submissin from the NTA.
Q: How far from Sligo Town should the forthcoming Local Transport Plan extend its reach?
The amount allocated for the local transport plan in Sligo’s 2021 Active Travel Allocation is €275,000: (SO/21/0009 Transport Studies/ Urban Mobility Plans/Active Travel Network)Ideally the plan would extend to Collooney, Grange, Rosses Point and Strandhill but realistically the allocated budget will only go so far and we note from the NTA comments that the catchment area appears to be Sligo town with Strandhill and Rosses Point
Terminology used in the Development Plan:
Before drafting the active travel component of the new CDP we recommend that the authors review the commitments in the current plan and reflect on the reasons why various measures were not implemented. As stated previously it is our opinion that budget constraints are but one factor.
The new plan needs to define the terms used. For example, Section 8.3 of the current plan regarding Cycle and Pedestrian Movements states
“The provision of facilities for commuting cyclists will be a priority for Sligo County Council over the lifetime of this plan”.
The word facilities is too vague and does not commit the council to anything in particular. Neither are “ commuting cyclists” defined. The National Census asks about trips to work, school or college. Is this the definition used here?
The term “commuting” doesn’t cover trips to shops, leisure activities, cultural events etc so we would prefer to see the forthcoming CDP adopt a policy of providing a segregated cycle network, traffic calming and lower speed limits so as to enable “Cycling for all ages and abilities”. The NTA references the guidelines for inclusive Design in its submission. both walking and cycling facilities need to be inclusive.
Dear Forward Planning Team
Please find attached a submission on the Common Swift for your consideration.
Thank you for your time and attention in this matter
Submission for consideration for inclusion in the new County Development Plan for Sligo 2023
Please consider including the following under Rural Housing Objectives of Draft County Development Plan.
Those applicants with “Rural Links” to an area through long standing existing and immediate family ties seeking to develop a family home on existing family holdings shall be deemed to have established a Substantiated rural housing need. The ownership by family members (persons other than the applicants) of additional dwellings in the area shall not be used to negate the housing need of the applicant.
Sustainable Mobility
Council's attention to Sustainable Mobility is very welcome and positive developments in this regard have the potential to help deliver on strategic actions related to Compact Growth, Stronger Urban Places and Environmental Sustainability. Responding specifically to the questions raised in Focus on: Sustainable Mobility;
1. What are the biggest obstacles to mobility encountered by people who don’t drive or just want to avoid using private cars?
It is important to acknowledge that many people make use of several transport modes so that people who regularly drive often also walk and cycle. When walking or cycling in Sligo it is clear that priority is very much in favour of private cars and haulage. This is clear from the placement of the N4 through residential and retail areas from Summerhill to the N4/N16 junction. The traffic volumes on the N4 in this section are very heavy and constant which makes this whole area an uncomfortable and unhealthy part of Sligo to be in. It should be Plan aim that a realignment of the N4 be developed which does not go through Sligo's western edge. The alternative is that an already busy national road gets even more congested and makes this part of Sligo even less attractive. If a key Plan aim is to attract residents to move in to the town centre then the N4 has to move out.
2. Are there specific policies or measures which would help people shift to walking, cycling or public transport, if included in the development plan?
Better physical infrastructure for non-car modes of transport especially shielded cycle lanes and covered walking tracks linking public transport hubs, residential and working areas. The Plan should seek to develop a number of free to use car parks at the periphery of Sligo and link these via pedestrian priority and covered walking routes to the town centre. Fully separate cycle lanes should be developed on the main commuter routes from a free to use public car park on the periphery. A much greater emphasis on traffic calming and policing traffic on roads where the speed limit is 50km/hr should form part of the Plan albeit some actions may be outside local authority function.
3. How far from Sligo Town should the forthcoming Local Transport Plan extend its reach?
Focus on Sligo town and key commuter villages inc. collooney, ballisodare, strandhill, rosses point, grange
4. How should dispersed rural dwellings be served in terms of transport to/from towns?
Car sharing, safe and secure park and ride facilities.
Focus on: Climate Change Adaptation and Action
In what manner could local communities approach “decarbonisation”?
This Plan should make clear that Council supports community led energy efficiency and low carbon generation projects. Council should encourage partcipation in low carbon initiatives such as SEAI's Sustainable Energy Communities programme. Council should continue to support , including with funds and technical input, the emerging Northwest Energy Agency.
Where should we designate further Decarbonisation Zones in County Sligo?
A representative village or town would be a good example.
Should Sligo County Council take the lead in addressing the climate challenges by delivering specific, exemplary projects that would
demonstrate the integration of sustainable, “smart” and “green” considerations in masterplanning and design? If so, where?
Yes, by ensuring that considerations including pedestrian and other low carbon modes of transport are genuinely addressed at the early stages of masterplan and infrastructure design. Because of their long term nature and influence on behaviour all masterplanning proposals shoud be subject to a carbon intensity testing to make sure that they are not building in long term unsustainable actions.
What type of CDP policies or objectives would be necessary to encourage the development of a “circular economy”?
Through a renewable energy strategy identify the core circular economy components of waste arisings, energy or resource needs and begin a process of matching arisings to needs. A first step across a number of circular economy aspects is a comprehensive catalogue of where the wastes are arising and where new resources are required. A simple eample might be to consider where in the County biological wastes are concentrated and guide the location of a bioenergy project to convert those wastes into a useable energy source.
How can the CDP support an increase in renewable energy production?
Provide guidance on the size and scale and preferred locations of renewable energy installations including wind, solar, battery, green gas, offshore, blue/green economy through a comprehensive renewable energy strategy published with the Plan. Giving clear messages to individuals, communities and companies interested in developing projects will help to optimise the development activity from home or farm developments use to grid connected large scale facilities.
Where do you think are good locations for new wind farms in the county, taking account of the need to protect landscape character ?
Council should consider that upland areas in the north east, west and south of the county which in some cases may be designated for ecological reasons may be developed for wind energy while balancing the need to protect the reasons for ecological designation. For example the sensitive development of wind energy in damaged bogs can be used as a way of repairing those bogs as being done by Bord Na Mona in the midlands. The Plan should made clear that this approach to development is welcome.
Rural Planning Policy Clarification
See document uploaded.
Please find attached submission on behalf of An Post on the Pre-Draft Strategic Issues Paper for the Sligo County Development Plan 2023-2029.
The following submission is based on; the value and contribution of ‘arts and culture’ toward ‘proper
planning and sustainable development’, and the opportunity presented by the preparation of the new
County Development Plan in making provision for same within the spatial planning context for the
County, responsive to current and emerging trends.
Special consideration for inclusion into the Sligo County Development Plan 2023, of a specific circumstance pertaining to rural housing.
Please see attached a page from Galway CDP. Please note point 1.(d).
Introduction
Ireland West Airport is a key economic and tourism driver for the Sligo region and wishes to seek recognition of the importance of the airport to the Sligo region in the Development Plan
Importance of Ireland West Airport to the Sligo Region
Aviation is a strategic foundation for our small, open economy on an island at the periphery of Europe. Aviation services and infrastructure promote economic development through higher productivity. To restore our economy, Ireland needs a thriving aviation sector, aircraft back in the air and the rebuilding of international connectivity which will be critically important for the Sligo region in particular. Along with passenger traffic, regional airports have seen their air connectivity decimated – especially regional airports like Ireland West Airport who are dependent on international air connectivity.
Out of the 1.72 billion passengers lost across the European airport network last year, more than 836 million (49%) were lost by regional airports – with smaller ones accounting for more than half of that loss (437 million). Most of the 193 European airports currently facing insolvency are regional airports. (Source: Airport Councils International, February 2021)
As a peripheral island with an open internationally trading economy, the aviation sector has been fundamental to the economic development of the entire West and North West regions of the country. The returns on rebuilding the tourism industry, and especially the protection of jobs in the sector from a West of Ireland perspective, should be considerable.
The importance of the airport to the Sligo region as a key gateway in supporting employment and tourism as well as delivering overseas visitors cannot be overstated with over 30,000 overseas visitors travelling to Sligo annually using Ireland West Airport as an access point. A survey carried out by Redc Research highlighted that 28% of all overseas visitors who travel through the airport visited the Sligo region spending an average of 5 nights in the region.
The airport employs 175 staff and supports a further 900 jobs in the region whilst also supporting 200 local suppliers through operations of our commercial outlets at the airport
A 2018 report by EY (Ernst and Young) estimated that tourism output based on the impact of Ireland West Airport passengers in 2018 was €181.9m, supporting 2,901 jobs, contributing GVA of €112.6m and an Exchequer revenue of €29.4m. Furthermore 900,000 bed nights supported, contributing a regional economic spend of over €175m annually.
The regional benefit that the Airport provides is also very significant as outlined below;
Source: Redc Research, Ireland West Airport Iverseas Passenger Tracking Survey 2018
Development of the SDZ at Ireland West Airport
Following the Government mid-2017 announcement, as part of the National Development Plan, Project Ireland 2040, regarding the designation of lands adjacent to Ireland West Airport as a Strategic Development Zone, the Airport Board stated that a robust package of incentives to attract enterprise and jobs to the Airport and its surround will be necessary as part of an overall development plan for the Zone.
Following the completion of the strategic planning process, the SDZ now provides for planning certainty for potential developments that may take place at the airport. However, the Board also noted while welcoming the designation, it is of limited value unless a comprehensive package of financial incentives are put in place to attract businesses to locate within the zone and create employment at the airport.
To facilitate regional balanced development as the region recovers from the devastating impact of COVID-19 recognition of the SDZ at Ireland West Airport as a key stimulus for job creation for Sligo and the North West
The SDZ Scheme, if built out to full capacity, has the potential to deliver 95,025sq.m of Commercial, Business & Enterprise space, 44,000sq.m of Aviation Economic Development & Services, and 11,000sq.m of Hotel Accommodation & Conference floor-space and deliver future employment capacity of almost 4,200 persons
Overseas Tourism Promotion
The short to medium term future is extremely uncertain and the objective, in the short term, is to maintain existing services with our airline partners given the current catastrophic losses signalled by our airline partners as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic impact. Over the period 2021-2023 and against a backdrop of increasing uncertainty in the aviation sector, with the continuing uncertainty around COVID-19 and the decision by Britain to leave the EU, a recovery to 2019 passenger levels is not forecasted to occur until 2024 at the earliest.
Given the airports proximity to Sligo a renewed focus on driving awareness of the access from overseas available through the airport to recover tourism numbers to the region through the following measures.
• The Sligo County Council tourism marketing budget targeted to promote Sligo, includes a specific focus on overseas air access to support the restoration of visitor numbers from overseas markets post COVID-19, and in particular now with the further challenge of a slowdown in UK visitors to the region resulting from BREXIT challenges. Following the devastating impact of COVID without such an approach, the airport will face significant challenges in retaining our current route network.
•To work with the key Tourism stakeholders and the airport in facilitating a regional air access development fund focused on new European and US services to address regional imbalance in new air access to the West, with now over 87% of all air access and visitors landing in Dublin.
• That the Airport partnership with the 7 Local Authorities is leveraged across the region to enable further joined-up marketing and promotional initiatives as well as cooperative funding with other regional tourism stakeholders.
Western Rail Corridor and Upgrade of N17
Ireland West Airport’s international route network has grown significantly in the last ten years and in 2019 the airport served over 20 international destinations across the UK and Europe. Up to the beginning of 2020 the airport was served by four of Europe’s major international airlines – Aer Lingus, Flybe, Lauda and Ryanair.
Whilst the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to have a devastating impact on the aviation sector, there is confidence within the industry that once the vaccination programme is completed that there remains significant demand for international travel and that we could see a return to growth sooner than expected.
In light of this and on the basis that the airport remains committed to achieving an annual passenger throughout of 1 million passengers in the next 5 years, the development of transportation links between the airport and major population centres across the region is critically important.
To support the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor in order to deliver the Tuam – Claremorris – Sligo Rail at an appropriate level of service and at a standard capable of facilitating passenger and freight transport and present an opportunity to provide an integrated rail linkage to the Ireland West Airport Knock and its Strategic Development Zone
The re-opening of the WRC has the potential to provide the greatest transformational change both in terms of a shift towards a low-carbon society/economy but also at a regional level as a key enabler to strengthen the functionality of the AEC and capitalise of the enterprise and employment hub of the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport.
A key benefit of the restoration of the rail link will be its ability to attract additional people into the area, be they tourists or new residents, who will contribute to the wider economic well-being of the West of Ireland and support the goals set out in the National Development Plan. In particular, the WRC should encourage people to move to areas on the West coast, supporting the development of those communities which in turn has the potential to significantly increase usage of Ireland West Airport, both from a regional and international perspective. Currently, it is challenging to promote the West of Ireland to international visitors given the very limited transport options available.
Upgrade of N17
Ireland West Airport Knock support the current ongoing N17 Knock to Collooney Project and agree with the stated objective of the project to enhance regional accessibility, connectivity, and safety between the centres of economy and population along the linear region of the Atlantic Economic corridor. Ireland West Airport Knock have consulted with the lead Project Managers and Designers, The Sligo National Roads Project Office, on all phases of the project to date.
The N17 Knock to Collooney Project will support the National Strategic Outcomes of the National Planning Framework - a framework to guide public and private investment, to create and promote opportunities for our people, and to protect and enhance our environment – from our villages to our cities, and everything around and in between”
Airport Safeguarding Zone
The Aerodrome Safeguarding Zone of Ireland West Airport Knock extends into County Sligo. Potential developments may need to be assessed and a study undertaken to assess whether any proposed development is likely to conflict with the Aerodrome Safeguarding requirements for IWAK that are specified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Development in the vicinity of aerodromes has the potential to introduce risks to the safe operation of aircraft. Assessment of the potential impacts is carried out under a process known as ‘Aerodrome safeguarding’. The potential impact of a proposed development therefore may need to be reviewed against the following safeguarding requirements:
The international standards for the safeguarding of aeronautical infrastructure is regulated by several different documents. ICAO establishes the general guidance which is then implemented and detailed in the legislation of the European Union through EASA and enforced by all member states including Ireland through their respective national legislative bodies, in this case the Irish Aviation Authority(IAA).
Sligo County Council shall include within their county development plan a policy that outlines the necessity to safeguard the aerodrome of Ireland West Airport Knock, to include screening developments at planning stage that may have the potential to introduce risk to the safe operation of aircraft.
[redcated text: personal address] Ballymote, Co. Sligo
To whom it may concern,
This is my submission to Sligo. Co. Co develpement plan and its in support of the reopening of the Collooney - Bellaghy rail corridor in conjunction with a greener N-17 road re- allignment, so that the disruption of farmland and communites can be minimised. I feel that rail transport is essential for the proesperity of the region of South Sligo in particular. This will also help reduce harmful carbon emmisions moving towards the future.
Yours sincerly, Niall O' Dowd
John Monahan is my name, I am an RIAI accredited Architect, living and working in Strandhill.
Points regarding the Strandhill Mini Plan 2023-2029 as follows :
1. Strandhill will have an increase in population if existing residentially zoned lands get built, do we know this proposed population increase before new lands get zoned ? There is an affordable housing need in Strandhill , especially for those born here. Can there be provision that either existing or newly proposed residential lands cater for the local affordable housing need.
2. When looking at housing type and precedent, the Beach View Park housing estate off the top road is the best type of estate in Strandhill, it is built on a slope and each house has a view, each detached house has off street parking, the houses are a buildable / affordable size and the green area is flat and useable for sports and childrens play . ˇ
3. If increasing the population and housing stock by zoning more residential lands is viewed as right for Strandhill, will associated facilities of supermarkets , swimming pool and community facilities be catered for ?
4. Given the spread out nature of Strandhill village, can there be a commercial area that would act as a 'village' center . The Shore front and Top road is for tourism and hospitality. The airport / Strand Campus area could act as the commercial village center. If designed well , the existing commercial units, Strand Campus and the airport could be integrated into a masterplan to allow supermarket, retail, swimming pool and other outlets. It could have a pedestrian focussed village square feel bringing together all the existing development and giving the people of Strandhill a go to location. The market brings this idea once a week and this could be built upon.
Best of luck.
Kind regards, John Monahan MRIAI
The submission applies to several sections of the Issues Paper. Two documents are included as attachments.
21_IW_FP_54 Sligo Issues Paper
Menu of Policies for Development Plans
Sligo Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) welcomes the opportunity to submit a response for consideration to the Pre-draft consultation on the preparation of the Sligo County Development Plan 2023 - 2029. The theme selected above was the only one available on the list however this submission is for the SCDP 2023-2029 Pre-draft consultation. Sligo SEC is advocating for the development of a Satellite Gas Network in Sligo Town as enabling infrastructure for low carbon renewable gas sources from the surrounding region thereby promoting Balanced Regional Development and sustainable Economic Growth. See file attachments for full submission and letters of support for the Sligo Local Gas Network project.
RWE Renewables Ireland wish to make specific suggestions and observations on climate change and wind energy for the first stage Draft Sligo County Development Plan 2023– 2029. RWE have reviewed the various sections of the Sligo County Development Plan 2017– 2023 and associated documents.
Please find attached the Department of Education's submission to the Issues paper for the draft Sligo County Development Plan 2023-2029
I Michael O' Dowd of (redacted text: personal address] Tubbercurry requests that the existing closed railway line from Collooney to Bellaghy/Charlestown be reopened, Linking Claremoris in Mayo - Athenry Galway to complete the WRC and Atlantic Economic Corridor. This critical Green rail infrastructure is already in place and essential for Sligo to reach our climate emissions targets by 2029. This is the best and possibly only hope of reaching carbon neutrality and also allowing County Sligo to reach its best potential for all its current and future population growth projections. Reopening an existing valuable asset in state ownership, in conjunction with a more realistic N-17 Collooney - Knock road project, that should be more about safety, less rural disruption, economy, less agriculture land fragmentation for famers and its destructive environmental effects and more in keeping with the current climate emergency realities we are all conscience about and hugely aware of.
Brexit has changed the dynamic and the consideration that Dublin may no longer be the business and commercial capital of Ireland and rail link to Foynes and Southern ports, these are our lifeline in this region to the EU and world for exports and imports of goods and services, now and in the foreseeable future! Ireland West Knock airport is along this railway corridor and will be critical in attracting investment and job opportunities to County Sligo by opening up sustainable and necessary public transport and freight opportunities with funding from NTA and TEN-T. Balanced Regional Development will have a positive knock on effect for County Sligo going forward.
Our best and most realistic growth potential is tourism in County Sligo and our naturally beautiful, historic and amazing offerings have to be vigorously promoted and clean, green rail connectivity is the obvious answer and ticks all the critical boxes! As an ambitious County in the past (we had our green, sustainable and a circular economy 50 - 100 years ago) and we can do it again in style with the least environmental damage by rail and safe roads with an ambitious and realistic Sligo County Development Plan 2023 -2029
I respectfully request inclusion of my proposal into your strategic transport infrastructural plan to guide the development of Co. Sligo over the next 5 – 10 years. Thanking you Michael O’ Dowd family farmer.
Please see attached submission from Greensource.
As outlined in previous Mini-development plans for Strandhill, but not adequately acted upon, it is imperative that provision and land be earmarked for the Development of suitable community facilities i.e. a community centre to include adequate provision for indoor and outdoor sports and recreation.
The onus should be on the council to consider development fees in any new housing developments to assist in the building of such a facility or provide some funding for the development of such a facility for the health and well being of residents of Strandhill.
Strandhill Community Development Association commissioned a ‘Health Check’ in 2019. A health check is a survey of residents giving a snapshot in a particular time –the most pressing issues for residents are the lack of community owned community facilities to cater for the ever growing population of Strandhill.
A summary of the key points arising from the health check survey is uploaded here. Other similar surveys have been conducted and planners are urged to examine these documents whilst planning for the future of area.
Measured Development
As Strandhill grows into a larger village, akin to a small town, consideration must be given to the development of the village as a whole. This should include adequate provision for facilities for the residents of the village. As the village grows, so should the commitment to funding local amenities and services.
Traffic calming measures and adequate traffic management is also an issue that needs constant review and change, with every new development must come proper care and duty to residents of that area.
Ongoing consultation with local residents must be to the forefront of the minds of planners when making decisions.
A Chara,
Attached please find the Nature Conservation & Architectural Recommendations.
Regards,
Attached is ICMSA's Pre-Draft Sligo Development Plan 2023-2029 Submission.
Sligo as a Regional Growth Centre
The concept of the Regional Growth Centre should not simply be Sligo Town focused, discounting the value of spreading this growth to surrounding areas. Fig 2 indicates a RGCSP boundary which encompasses those villages surrounding Sligo Town. Distributing growth targets to these village centres will have advantages including: reducing pressure on Sligo Town services/infrastructure, enhancing economic & community activity in surrounding villages. This distributed Growth Centre concept would be underpinned by stronger and more sustainable connectivity. The commuting (work or school) distances within the current Fig 2 boundary are well within a 'Shuttle Bus' service capacity. These Shuttle Buses could also facilitate 'park & ride' services at interim locations. Some comparison of bus size and frequency of service would be beneficial. In keeping with targets for sustainable transport, this service design should consider alternative fuelled vehicles e.g. CNG, H2 or electric. Another key element of connectivity is broadband to support remote working/studying to reduce commuting requirements. While this is generally a reducing technical challenge, it will require more social agreements and commitments with employers and educators to support full or partial remote working. It should be noted that remote working is not limited to 'working from home'. The distributed Regional Growth concept should include provisions for remote working facilities in hubs and community centres. Given the existing infrastructure in place, there is no reason that the RGCSP boundary could not be extended to Grange and Collooney, even as a 2nd tier boundary. This distributed Regional Growth concept remains compatible with compact growth.
Focus on: Economic and Community Development
As essentially an update to the LECP, the Sligo One Voice One Vision should start by reviewing the previous LECP to identify targets which were not met and consider the merit of, and resources needed, to carry them forward. Having 'smart' and 'green' as a target for the economy is not enough. Providing support to the economic actors to help them achieve smarter and greener standards is require. The IT Sligo Contract Research Unit has established a model for a Regional Energy Agency to act in this supporting role, in keeping with LECP 2016-2021 Objective 5.4.4 among others. This model is similar to other successful models in the country that are leading on sustainable county development. It is also crucial to avoid Sligo being left behind as other areas take larger shares of the national targets & budgets.
Focus on: Housing Supply and Demand
The Issues Paper quantifies the number of housing units required as a challenge for delivery. A critique of the type of housing should be conducted, based on an assessment of the needs of the demographics expected. This would also facilitate the distributed Regional Growth concept. The Co-Housing model could progress as a partnership between the Council (as landowner) and Community Company (as developer) on a not-for-profit basis. This could be piloted on a small scale in a town centre brownfield site in keeping with compact growth.
Focus on: Compact Growth
The targets for housing growth to be within built-up areas would benefit from some flexibility or options on zoning. This is also likely to motivate the renovation of town centre buildings with underused upper floors. The merit of area based development of this nature, over individual building projects, should be recognised and encouraged in the planning process. Developing or renovating a series of adjoining properties in this way has significant advantages including: economies of scale; reduced overall disruption; and coherent development.
Focus on: Regeneration - Town Centres First
In Sligo Town the Garavogue river is a key amenity both for local residents and tourists. Such amenities are often overlooked with many towns and villages 'turning their backs' on the local river. We note that the work of Sligo County Council and Sligo Tidy Towns in enhancing this amenity in recent years is to be commended. Similar enhancements should be encouraged in Dromore West, Enniscrone, Drumcliff and Grange, in collaboration with local residents and businesses.
The principle of 'a consistent design approach' should consider the risk of visual monotony. Diverse design can be accommodated and can enhance the public and tourist experience in a town centre.
Focus on: Sustainable Mobility
The overall issues for Sustainable Mobility are well addressed. Reducing car journeys, rather than giving up private transport, is more realistic for many. Very often the main impediment to walking and cycling is the weather, even for short journeys. New developments in town centres, which constitute a commuting point (place of work or education), should be mandated to include facilities for walking and cycling e.g. bike racks, changing rooms, showers.
Shared cycle and footpaths are common in many European cities. However, this success require mutual consideration. While this may be a matter for general education, the CDP should consider how best to design shared paths in order to make the users aware of this.
Focus on: Climate Change Adaptation and Action
Climate Adaptation may focus on certain risk areas. However, Climate Action & Circular Economy should be included in all focus areas. Each development should be mandated to present it's impacts, mitigation and benefits to Climate Action & Circular Economy. This demonstration should address economic, environmental & social sustainability in a hierarchy of 1. Reduction/efficiency, 2. Reuse/clean energy, 3. Recycle/smart energy. In particular for the Circular Economy, new developments should also be required to encouraged to consider their proposed supply chains.
The Decarbonisation Zone may be identified as a single discrete area, but any solutions or initiatives will be replicable and should be promoted throughout the county. Decarbonisation can be achieved with a combination of reducing carbon emissions (energy reduction/efficiency and clean energy adoption) and increasing carbon sequestration (rewilding, rewetting, planting). The CDP should consider zoning for all these elements in particular the generation of clean energy and planting.
Co. Kildare
24.09.21
Ms. Siobhan Gillen
Administrative Officer Planning Section,
Sligo County Council
City Hall
Quay Street,
Sligo
F91 PP44
RE: Submission for consideration for inclusion in the new County Development Plan for Sligo 2023
Please consider including the following under Rural Housing Objectives of Draft County Development Plan
Those applicants with “Rural Links” to an area through long standing existing and immediate family ties seeking to develop a family home on existing family holdings shall be deemed to have established a Substantiated rural housing need. The ownership by family members (persons other than the applicants) of additional dwellings in the area shall not be used to negate the housing need of the applicant.
Signed
Orla Howley
Formerly of;
Carnadough Cottage,
Strandhill,
Co.Sligo,
Biggest problems caused by Climate Change in Sligo include erosion of coastal areas, sea level rise and loss of biodiversity. To combat this Sligo County Council needs to protect designated sites and carry out an all county study of the coast to pin point hotspots where coastal erosion is particularly prevalant and not allow planning permisson in those areas. Natrual processes of the sea should be allowed to occur, as placing rock gabions for example (Rosses Point beach being one example) sends the power of sea down the coast, thus causing erosion in other areas that may be even more vulnerable than golf courses.
The nitrates Directive needs to be strongly implemented in County Sligo to prevent pollution of our waterways and coastal areas. Flood plains of rivers should be desinated as such and buffer zones created along the edges between the rivers edge and agricultural fields in order to prevent runoff from fields and stop pollution events. It can take many years for nitrate pollution to reach a water body once it has left the soil rooting zone. Indeed much of the high concentrations of nitrates in waters today has been casued by agricultural practices of past decades (taken form the report to the Commission on The Implementation of the Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources). No planning permission should be granted on flood plains and livestock should also not be allowed to enter watercourses.
From the beginning of time, the families in Culleenduff have been the titular caretakers of the lands, shore and surrounding areas.
I wish to register with Sligo County Council and their advisors, as to how they feel they have the right to insult the people who live in Culleenduff, Primrose Grange and Woodpark areas, who have maintained the areas for generations since circa the 1400s?
I am writing to express my concerns regarding planning permission in the Knocknarea area. I understand that the subject of zoning of lands is not being considered at the pre-draft stage of the next Sligo County Development Plan (2023 - 2029). However, I feel I would be remiss not to bring my concerns to the Council's attention
For the attention of Sligo County Council:
I would like to make an observation concerning the difficulties experienced by those living in the area around Knocknarea with respect to planning permission.
I fully appreciate that this area is of huge importance from an archaeological point of view, and needs to be protected as such - as much for its historical importance as well as natural heritage. However for families who live here, some who have done so for several generations and would wish to continue for many more to come, it has become very difficult to have applications successfully considered to try and build anything new.
To Whom it May Concern,
Regarding the Pre-draft Sligo County Council Development Plan 2023-2029, I would like to address the issue of gross limitation to the request to build new houses in the Culleenaduff, Primrose Grange, Woodpark and Lufferton areas.
These areas have been the heritage of my family for at least 7 generations. To limit the development of new houses in this area for those that have such a long historical familial connection is to grossly limit the qualities of cultural heritage and knowledge relating to the natural heritage that can only be associated to such. I make reference to the National Policy Objective 60 which states the necessity to conserve and enhance the rich qualities of the cultural heritage and natural heritage of Ireland. Is preventing family lineage to continue in a given area agreeable to this?
This submission has been prepared by Brock McClure, Planning and Development Consultants, 63 York Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin on behalf of Musgraves Operating Partners Ireland, Musgrave House, Ballycurreen, Airport Road, Cork in response to Sligo County Council’s County Development Plan 2023-2029 Pre-Draft Consultation – Issues Paper document.
I refer to your notification on 30th July, 2021 that a Strategic Issues Paper in advance of the proposed Draft Sligo County Development Plan had been published and inviting submissions. The Northern and Western Regional Assembly wish to thank you for notifying it of this.
The Regional Assembly is required under S27B of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as
amended, to offer its opinion on whether or not the pre-draft and its core strategy, in particular, is
consistent with the RSES. The Regional Assembly is required to make recommendations to the
council on any amendments necessary to ensure the Pre-Draft Plan is consistent with the RSES and to issue its report and recommendations and observations. The Members of the NWRA considered the report and recommendations and observations at its monthly meeting on 17th September, 2021.
This submission has been prepared by Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, in response to the public notice seeking submissions in relation to the preparation of a new Sligo County Development Plan (‘the Plan’) for the period 2023-2029 by Sligo County Council (‘the Council’).
Fáilte Ireland welcomes the opportunity to engage with Sligo County Council on the emerging Plan for the County. Fáilte Ireland is seeking to enhance the partnership approach between the Council and the National Authority and ensure that the expertise of both organisations is shared.
Greenway Vision Document
Objective : To outline how both Local residents and Visitors will interact and experience the Greenway and the impact of the greenway on the environment and the community .
The vision document is not and economic justification or technical feasibility document, these have been comprehensively covered in other documents ,
Sligo CTCHC Project
Submission on the emerging Sligo County Development Plan 2023-2029
‘Town Centres First!’
Sligo CTCHC Project’s submission is set out below under the following headings:
A. Support the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Un SDGs), National
Planning Framework and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES);
B. Focus on Town Centres and Building Renewal;
C. Target the location of Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) and Investment in Building
Stock;
D. Harness Geo-spatial Data Gathering/Mapping, Communications and Public Engagement;
and
E. Enhance Biodiversity & wider Ecosystem Services.
Sligo IFA Submission to Sligo County Council in relation to Sligo County Development Plan 2023 - 2029
Introduction
Sligo IFA is pleased to make the following submissions to the County Council for consideration in the drafting of the County Development Plan.
Sligo IFA wish to acknowledge its commitment to ensuring a sustainable high-quality environment for food production and amenity use in Sligo for all to enjoy and its willingness to work with the various local and national authorities to help ensure a high level of protection of the rural environment in the County.
WEI is the representative body for the Irish wind industry, working to promote wind energy as an essential, economical and environmentally friendly part of the country’s low-carbon energy future.
We are Ireland’s largest renewable energy organisation with more than 170 member companies who have come together to plan, build, operate and support the development of the country’s chief renewable energy resource.
To avoid the most severe impacts of climate change, global temperatures must be kept below
1.5C above pre-industrialised levels, and we will need rapid and deep action to decarbonise our
energy systems. Burning fossil fuels is the single biggest cause of climate change, and taking
climate action means developing fossil free communities in every county in Ireland. County and
city councils play a hugely important role in helping communities to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and planning is a key area of influence. This encompasses processes for
carbon-proofing major decisions, programmes and projects, including investments in transport
and energy infrastructure. We make the following recommendations regarding your new
development plan.
EirGrid Group welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Sligo County Development Plan 2023-2029 and requests that this submission is taken into consideration in the development of the new plan.
EirGrid is a prescribed authority for the purposes of Section 11 (2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended and has been involved in the making of Project Ireland 2040 (National Planning Framework) and the North and West Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy in which the strategic issue of the future development of Ireland's electricity transmission grid was highlighted and extensively addressed in Section 8.2. It is requested the plan is in so far as is practicable consistent with such national plans, policies or strategies as the Minister determines relate to proper planning and sustainable development.
Submission for consideration for inclusion in the new County Development Plan for Sligo 2023
Please consider including the following under Rural Housing Objectives of Draft County Development Plan.
Those applicants with "Rural Links" to an area through long standing existing and immediate family ties seeking to develop a family home on existing family holdings shall be deemed to have established a Substantiated rural housing need. The ownership by family members (persons other than the applicants) of additional dwellings in the area shall not be used to negate the housing need of the applicant.
Re: Review of Sligo County Development Plan (CDP) 2017-2023
Dear Sir/Madam
I wish to make the following submission in relation to the above.
Rural Housing
In any review of the Sligo County Development Plan provision must be included for
landowners and farmers associated with lands for a long period of time to be permitted to obtain planning permission for their children.
See attachment
We, Ann Spellman and Aonghus Brian Murphy, would really appreciate if Sligo County Council would make special consideration for inclusion into the Sligo County Development Plan 2023 a specific circumstance pertaining to rural housing. Namely, if applicants can supply land registry or folio details that demonstrate that the lands on which they are seeking to build their first home, as their permanent residence, in the area have been in family ownership for a period of 20 years or more, their eligibility will be considered.
Please see attached a page from Galway CDP. Please note point 1.(d).
see attachment
Sligo County Development Plan 2023-2029 should recognize that the Western Rail Corridor is a major inter-regional transport asset, forming part of an infrastructural spine for the Atlantic Economic Corridor. Its reinstatement would accelerate and consolidate the AEC concept of a linear city of scale to counterbalance the 5 cities of the South and East.
In this European Year of Rail it is recognized that increased transportation of people and goods by rail can make a disproportionately large contribution towards reducing land transport CO2 and Nitrous oxide emissions helping to combat global warming.
Sligo as a designated Regional Growth Centre should strive for a speed and service upgrade, on the railway to Dublin and should vigorously campaign to restore a rail service through Tubbercurry and South Sligo to Galway, Limerick and Cork.
Through the far seeing efforts of Monsignor Micheál Mc Gréil and the Western Inter County Railway Committee (founded by Tubbercurry Councillor the late Joe Cawley), Sligo is very lucky to still have this railway utility and asset for future use.
Professor John Bradley’s recent report clearly shows what the socio economic benefits of reopening the WRC would be.
Government policy dictates that the Sligo County Development Plan must align with the policy objectives of the North West Regional Authority
The NWRA RSES recognises the strategic importance of the Western Rail Corridor (WRC) as a growth enabler for the region, and its potential to link the economies of large urban centres along the western seaboard - agglomeration. The strategy also recognises the potential of the WRC in consolidating the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC).
The adopted RSES (2020-2032) for the Northern and Western Region identifies regional assets, opportunities and pressures and provides appropriate policy responses in the form of Regional Policy Objectives (RPOs)
RPOs pertaining to Sligo’s railways are;
RPO 6.13
(a) It shall be an objective to deliver the Athenry - Tuam - Claremorris - Sligo Rail to an appropriate level of service and to a standard capable of facilitating passenger and freight transport. (b) It shall be an objective to progress through pre-appraisal and early planning the extension of the railway from Athenry - Tuam - Claremorris - Sligo.
RPO 6.15
Promote enhancement of the capacity of the Sligo to Dublin rail line.
RPO 6.16
Investigate the feasibility of extending the rail network to the North West City region from Sligo and Dublin.
RPO 6.17
Support the development of a Strategy for the electrification of the rail network.
On page 3 of the Issues Paper under "Development Plans" — legal requirements state that development plans of adjoining planning authorities must have regard to each other and generally coordinate their objectives.
Sligo County Council should note that the County Mayo CEO's report on their pre-draft consultation contained the following statement;
MCC recognises the importance of ensuring that strategic assets, particularly sustainable transport assets such as the WRC (which can also play a crucial role in terms of meeting climate change obligations) are protected and promoted as a key enabler in facilitating the effective functioning of the Atlantic Economic Corridor.
Such a declaration should be made in the new Sligo County Development Plan.
At present, there is a conflict between a public transport policy and a cycling and walking objective in the current Sligo CDP;
P-PT-5 Examine the feasibility of reopening the Western Rail Corridor, as a strategic transport corridor linking Sligo and the North-West with Mayo, Galway and Limerick in the context of the new rail policy to be developed by the DTTaS.
O-CW-5 Seek the development of a footway and cycleway (greenway) on or alongside the disused railway line from Claremorris to Collooney insofar as such route does not compromise the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor, if reopening the railway line is deemed feasible.
The All Island Rail Review, currently taking place, will guide rail transport policy into the future. The revised NDP2040 is imminent.
The WRC should not be compromised in any way that could jeopardise its return to active use.
Helen Rochford-Brennan
Former Chair of Western Development Commission
RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company with operations across Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. At the forefront of renewable energy development for more than 35 years, RES is responsible for more than 13GW of renewable energy capacity and energy storage projects worldwide.
RES is active in a range of renewable energy technologies including onshore wind, offshore, solar and energy storage. From our office in Larne Co Antrim, RES has been at the forefront of wind farm development in Ireland since the early 1990s. We have developed wind energy projects across Ireland including Taurbeg Wind Farm in Co Cork, Milane Hill Wind Farm in Co Cork, Beenageeha Wind Farm in Co Kerry and Cark Wind Farm in Co Donegal.
See attached
Age Friendly Sligo Submission to Sligo County Development Plan
Overview
The national Age Friendly Ireland Programme supports cities, counties and towns across Ireland to prepare for the rapid ageing of our population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. Census 2016 counted more than 637,000 people aged 65 years or older, an increase of more than 19% over the previous five years, and representing 13.4% of the population. By 2026 there will be 1.15 million people in Ireland aged 60 or over, representing almost one out of every four people. In terms of Co. Sligo, Census 2016 figures show that 4.29% of Sligo’s population are over 65 and living alone, compared with a national average of 3.29%. Sligo has a 30% higher proportion of persons over 65 and living alone than would be expected for its share of the population. It is therefore vital that Age Friendly policies and initiatives are reflected in both County Development and Local Area Plans.
SSE wishes to make this submission for consideration as part of the Pre-Draft Public Consultation on the Preparation of Sligo County Development Plan 2023–2029. SSE welcomes the publication of the Issues Paper as part of this and supports the central role that County Development Plans will play in implementing the National Planning Framework (NPF).
West=on=Track welcomes the opportunity to engage with the pre-draft public consultation on the preparation of Sligo County Development Plan 2023-2029.
West on Track is a community-based campaign advocating for the full restoration of the Western Rail Corridor from Limerick to Sligo. It is made up of a large and diverse membership including many community groups, Chambers of Commerce, local development organisations and enjoys wide support from political representatives of all parties both at local and national level.
chara,
Thank you for your authority’s work in preparing the Issues Paper for the review of the Sligo County Development Plan 2017-2023 (the Plan). The Office of the Planning Regulator (the Office) acknowledges and welcomes the publication of this paper and your authority’s work, more broadly, in advancing the review of the Plan.
In accordance with the provisions of section 31AM of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act), the Office is obliged to evaluate and assess development plans in the context of certain statutory parameters including
I wish to make a number of submissions for consideration in the draft based on a huge shift over the last three years due to Brexit,Covid and Climate Change.
With Europe gone further away from us as our major market place we must look now at using rail as our major way to shift product as its to complicated to use the UK as a landbridge likewise the same rail can be use for passenger and tourist movement to and from our Southern ports as well as Foynes With Sligo IT becoming a major educational hub student movement will only grow along with that accommodation will be sought and can be offered out as far as Tubbercurry the railway when put into operation between Sligo and Claremorris connection all the rural communities and smaller towns which the dual carriageways are not designed to do where the train is the biblical cord for those communities, contributing to their wellbeing 365 days a year
Getting more traffic off the road will contribute to the reduction of Co2 , Now one of the major changes are the move to working from and many wanting to move from the East coast etc they are seeking rail as a means of transport because they come from areas with public transport many don't own a car and some don't have a driving license now that they come to live amongst us they discover they require in many cases two cars. We have hundreds of kilometers of public disused roadways which can easily be promoted as cycleways and nature walks,hide aways etc the real way to discovery the unseen beauty of our county I don't think a long cycle will offers any new discovery year in year out we have an opportunity to offer something unique here
The buzz word now is climate change ,carbon tax etc while at the same time we have to improve the N17 which is inevitable but it seems to be a very blunt instrument both for the urban and rural land owner / dweller Our towns will be passed,many farms will be bisected some rendered uneconomical and those living in a rural setting who may have to take detours to get to where they are going needs serious study to reduce the impact It goes without saying bring the railway into use will be one step to lessen the demand for road space going forward When looking at planing for major buildings and other developments that requires car parking facilities why not encourage those developments to be constructed close to rail facilities,which less cars . Ireland West Airport, needs a spur rail service, Our sick and less enabled need the comfort of rail to travel for they their special treatment to the Centre of Excellence in Galway. Surely there is a case that a re-alinement of the N17 is sufficient and possible
We have many Mobile Signal Masts erected in the county but there are many of us who still have very poor or nil Broadband we are a great county we can achieve on the world stage so together we can do it in our own county
As this a submission to a draft document I can broaden and give figures etc to support above if required. Thankyou
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel for climate change “is a code red for humanity”, according to UN secretary general António Guterres. “The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable: greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning and deforestation are choking our planet and putting billions of people at immediate risk. Global heating is affecting every region on Earth, with many of the changes becoming irreversible,
I wish to submit my objection to sligo DPD 2023-2029. Going ahead with an ambiguous plan regarding the prohibition of allowing family to build homes on their own lands is denying the continuance of the bloodlines who have been the caretakers of land and shore in the culleenduff, primrose Grange and wood park regions. The cultural and natural preservation is successful due to the respect that the families have given down through the centuries. Please acknowledge my protest and submission.
See attached
See attached
See attached
See attached
See attached
See attached
See attached
See attached
See attached
See attached
See attached
