Swinford plan advanced

Swinford local area plan strides ahead


Anna-Marie Flynn

PLANS to enforce the Draft Swinford Local Area Plan were advanced yesterday (Monday).
At a meeting of the Electoral Area Committee in the town, elected members and officials moved to deal with a total of eleven submissions which were received following the public display period from June to August this year.
With Cathaoirleach, Cllr Joe Mellett, absenting himself due to what he referred to as ‘a conflict of interests’, chairing the meeting, Cllr Gerry Murray said he felt the plan was ‘an extensive and comprehensive’ blueprint for the future of Swinford.
Submissions largely set out requests for changes in land use and zoning, with amendments suggested by a number of parties including Swinford Chamber of Commerce, Ulick and Des McEvaddy, MG Plant Sales, CG Properties, the National Roads Authority (NRA) and a number of private parties.
Cllr Gerry Murray expressed his thanks to all concerned in the plan and said it was particularly memorable as this draft is the first of the area plans for Swinford to go before the Council. “I think we have achieved a very high standard and dealt with all the issues as best we can,” he said.
Planning consultant, Helen O’Keeffe, said the plan left room for the 903 projected houses which will go ahead over the next five years. “We have a ball-park figure but there is room to go up and down on that so nothing is set in stone. I think that this plan has come together and planned around the best aspects of the Swinford area,” she said.
The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government also made a submission complimenting the Council on ‘a clear and concise’ plan that ‘adequately deals with the development issues and challenges of Swinford’.
As part of its submission, the Department asked that a detailed urban study be carried out to maximise the consolidation of the urban form and the re-opened railway station.
The draft will now before the full meeting of Mayo County Council on Monday next, October 13.