The Mayor of Clare is hopeful that the population targets governing the County Development Plan will be reviewed imminently.
It follows criticism of the draft plan from Lisseycasey Councillor PJ Kelly, who believes limiting the expansion of the county will cause panic amongst the public.
At a special meeting of elected representatives yesterday afternoon, submissions on the draft County Development Plan 2023-2029 were reviewed, before the plan was approved by councillors to proceed to public consultation.
However, one councillor refused to lend his support to the draft plan, citing fears that the final draft will be forced to conform to ‘a Dublin agenda’.
Lisseycasey-based Fianna Fáil councillor PJ Kelly took a stand against the plan in its current form, citing concerns over the absence of advice on the legality of adhering to limitations on population expansion over the next six years to approximately 3,000 people.
He also took issue with the criteria for farmers to be recognised in the plan – with specific acreage needed before farmers would be able to build one-off houses.
The plan is expected to be available to the public at the end of November, but Councillor Kelly feels the public’s concerns won’t be taken into account when finalising the plan.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Clare is confident that the County Development Plan is balanced and will serve the people of Clare well.
Responding to the concerns highlighted by Councillor Kelly, Killaloe Councillor Tony O’Brien says that no member of the council or the executive is happy with the population targets set out by the office of the planning regulator.
However, the Cathaoirleach insists that the draft plan doesn’t include such limitations and that the issue will be dealt with before the final plan is passed in Spring.
Councillor O’Brien expects the limitation to be reviewed imminently.
Listen back to the full interview here:
