Why is the 80-acre zoning for the Ashbourne Community Park under threat?:
On January 21 last 32 Meath County Councillors unanimously voted to zone 80 acres of Killegland Farm as Open Space for the provision of a Community Park. It appears from the Chief Executive’s response in her report of 19 April that some MCC Execs consider this excessive (15-20 acres has been mentioned as sufficient in various public forums). They are seeking to postpone the decision on park size until later (the Local Area Planning (LAP) stage), when the Councillors’ influence may be less final. This can only give comfort to opponents of the Community Park and signs are that it already has. The word is that the owner will propose a 20-acre Park and use the Report of April 19 to argue the case.
Ashbourne residents and their friends in South-east Meath and North-west Dublin need to send a strong message to those who oppose an 80-acre minimum Community Park. They must be understand that their efforts will fail. The democratic process decided on 80 acres and any arguments that it is infeasible just don’t stand up. Residents must make sure that the MCC Executive know this.
The Material Amendments to the County Development Plan is the democratic way in which ordinary residents can express their views on this. Make a submission before Tuesday 29 June and you can influence the process.
You may use the following document as a template to file your submission, regardless of which medium you use :
(right-click on the links above and use “save link as …” to download the document)
Making a submission/observation:
(extract from MCC Website, https://consult.meath.ie/en/consultation/material-amendments-draft-meath-county-development-plan-2021-2027)
Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed Material Alterations, the associated SEA Screening Determination and the SEA Environmental Report (which includes information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the proposed amendment) and the associated AA Screening Determination and AA Screening Report may be made no later than 4.00pm on Tuesday 29th June 2021.
Submissions or observations must include the full name and address of the person(s) making the submission or observation and where relevant, the body or organisation represented. The details including the names of those making submissions may be shared with relevant Council Departments or their agents involved in the making of the Development Plan.
Submissions or observations should be in ONE medium only i.e. online or hard copy and made as follows:-
Online: at https://consult.meath.ie/ using the ‘Make a Submission’ link
Or
In writing to: Senior Executive Officer, Planning Department, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath, C15 Y291
Please note submissions or observations that are emailed cannot be considered and will be returned.
Only submissions or observations received in relation to the proposed Material Alterations during the above time period will be taken into consideration before the making of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027.
Submissions or observations will be made public on the website and at the offices of Meath County Council, Buvinda House and will also form part of the statutory Chief Executive’s Report to be presented to the full Council. You are responsible for ensuring that no vexatious, libelous or confidential information, including confidential information in relation to a third party (in respect of which the third party has not, expressly, or impliedly in the circumstances, consented to its disclosure) is included in your submission. The Planning Authority reserves the right to redact any submission or part thereof.
The personal information (data) collected during the consultation process (which may include the collection of sensitive personal data) is collected for the purpose of receiving and dealing with submissions and any data collected is subject to Meath County Council’s privacy statement which can be found at https://www.meath.ie/council/your-council/your-data-and-access-to-information/data-protection/privacy-notices/planning-department
For any queries please email cdpquery@meathcoco.ie or phone 046/9097500.