Area plans for two Limerick towns extended for five years

PROPOSALS to extend the life of the Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale local area plans have been approved by members of the Newcastle West Municipal District.

However, some concerns have been expressed about the short notice given to elected representatives and the lack of consultation with members of the public and community groups in both towns.

Both plans, which were adopted by councillors in 2014, were due to expire in the summer of 2020. However, following this Wednesday’s decision, they will now remain in place until 2024.

The plans, which are the main public statement of planning policies and objectives for both towns, feed into the wider city and county development plan which is to be reviewed by Limerick City and County Council in the near future.

In separate reports prepared for councillors, Pat Daly, director of economic development at the local authority recommended the extension of both plans.

In each report he stated there were a “considerable number of policies and objectives (in the existing plans) that remain relevant and yet have not been secured”.

In the case of Abbeyfeale, he noted there has been a lack of development since 2014 and a slower than expected growth in population.

In the case of Newcastle West, he said an extension of the plan is needed “in order to sustainably strengthen the diverse employment base, population growth and regeneration of Newcastle West town centre as an economic driver for west Limerick and north Kerry”.

Cllr Michael Collins, who opposed the extention of the Newcastle West LAP, said he was concerned about “huge tracts of land” in the town which are lying idle and are not being used.

He also raised the lack of progress regarding the proposed relief road while Cllr Jerome Scanlon noted it could be the middle of 2022 before the process of drawing up a new local area plan will begin.

While the Ireland 2040 plan proposes the ‘dezoning’ of around 40 hectares of residential lands in Newcastle West, council planners were keen to point out there is adequate supply of zoned lands to meet the expected needs of the town.

Former Mayor, Cllr Liam Galvin, said he was concerned about the indicative route for the relief road in Abbeyfeale which, he said, cannot be allowed to pass to the south of the town.

He questioned the amount of lands which have been zoned for commercial and industrial use saying the Adare by-pass could create new opportunities for development in Abbeyfeale.

 Cllr Seamus Browne noted the process to draw up a new local area plan cannot begin until the a new City and County Development Plan is adopted by the council.

He also noted that under the Ireland 2040 plan, around 20 hectares of residential lands will be dezoned around the town.

“This will drive up the price of the residential -zoned lands that remain. There is a shortage of private residential houses in Abbeyfeale which is detrimental to the town,” he said.

Issues regarding sewage treatment facilities in-and-around both towns were also discussed during Wednesday’s meeting with planners confirming they are engaging with Irish Water.

Regarding the proposed relief roads for both towns, it was confirmed that consultants have been appointed.

Cllr John Sheahan noted nothing has been decided and that the consultants have a “blank canvas” to work with.

Almost €1 million has been allocated to progress the plans.