Mayo councillors take fresh stand on their diminishing planning powers

BALLINA area councillors have expressed concern that their observations on the draft local area plan (LAP) may not have much impact.

Both the LAP and the local transport plan are on display until February 8 in Ballina Civic Offices, Ballina Library and Áras an Chontae, Castlebar, with written observations invited before they are adopted by Mayo County Council.

But they noted how their counterparts in Castlebar and Westport had expressed dissatisfaction with the process.

“It seems they are being told they have no authority to make submissions and anything they say will not be listened to,” said Councillor Michael Loftus.

“Will our input be listened to?” he asked. “Our powers in relation to this seem to be diminished.”

He added that the County Development Plan was a great collaboration between councillors and the council, but with the local area plans for Ballina, Castlebar and Westport, it seemed to be dictated by higher powers.

Councillor Annie May Reape said the plan was anti-development, from what she could see.

“It's called the local area plan and we were told 'It's your plan' but that is farcical. The places we have zoned for housing will be re-zoned, so we are wasting our time.

“Why does the planning regulator change it?

“The planning regulator is a dictator here.”

Councillor Seamus Weir, cathaoirleach of Ballina MD, said he believed they would get their chance to make amendments to the plan, but Councillor Jarlath Munnelly said they had to take a stand on the issue.

From the draft, it was obvious that land which had been zoned for housing no longer was so zoned, and the priority should be house building.

“Once land is identified (for housing), we should be zoning it.”.

Submissions on the plans can be made online through the Mayo County Council website or can be posted in.