Centre Parks
MKO is proud to have helped Centre Parks receive planning permission to extend the Centre Parkcs Longford Forest Holiday Village in Ballymahon, Co Longford. This permission facilitates the development of 198 no. additional lodges at the village, with new sauna pods, cafes and restaurants, a new pool and additional growth. MKO provided planning advice and a detailed planning application, preparation of a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment to consider the connection to wildlife and the natural environment of the existing forest, and ecological surveys and advice.
Killala and Tubbercurry Town Centre First
Town Centre First is a key initiative that seeks to breathe new life into Ireland’s towns and villages and ensure they are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century. MKO was appointed by Sligo and Mayo County Councils to progress the plans for Tubbercurry and Killala, respectively. We are pleased to announce that the plans for both towns are finalised and available at the link below. The plans set out key projects and ideas to enhance the liveability and public realm of the town centres and ensure that Tubbercurry and Killala continue to be attractive and pleasant places to live, work, and shop well into the future.
Tubbercurry Public Realm Enhancement Scheme
After delivering the Tubbercurry’s Town Centre first plan, MKO immediately progressed with one of the key elements of that plan: the Tubbercurry Public Realm Enhancement Scheme. We are delighted to announce that Tubbercurry’s Public Realm Enhancement Scheme has been granted permission under the Part 8 process by Sligo County Council. The scheme seeks to reimagine the public space at the heart of Tubbercurry, creating a vibrant area for people to meet, shop, socialise, and live. The redesign includes an enhanced multifunctional public square with a covered space, traffic calming measures, reallocation of space to pedestrians, lighting upgrades, and bus set-down areas. It also creates a new multifunctional public building proposed by revitalising an existing vacant property within the town centre. To view the plans please visit the link below. We are proud to have delivered both Tubbercurry’s TCF Plan and the first project under that plan, through the planning process quickly and look forward to seeing the changes take shape.
Galway news
Galway City Vacancy
A new report has indicated that almost 1 out of every 5 commercial premises in Galway City is vacant. The city’s vacancy rate of 18.5% is up from 17.6% last year and now places the Local Authority with the second highest proportion of vacant properties behind Sligo with 20.5%. The national average vacancy rate is 14.3%. The report attributes the national increases in vacancy to several potential factors such as a rising cost of doing business, changing consumer habits and hybrid working.
Galway City EPA Clean Air Together
Results from the EPA’s Citizen Science study on Galway City’s air quality have been revealed. The project involved people and organisations voluntarily signing up to measure levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution in their local area using a measurement tube attached to their windows for 4 weeks. NO2 is predominantly a traffic-related air pollutant that can cause negative health impacts. MKO and many of our staff are proud to have participated in this important initiative. The measurement at our Tuam Road Office, along with the rest of those who took part in the study, and study conclusions are available at the link below.
European news
EU Energy Efficiency Directive
The recently passed EU Energy Efficiency Directive was brought to the Irish Government on 20 February. This Directive requires that energy consumption in Ireland must be reduced by more than 12% by 2030. This will require significant work to achieve as it far outpaces attempts at reduction in recent years. Minister Eamon Ryan reports that the work to achieve this target will provide the additional benefits of decreasing the use of fossil fuels, enhancement of air quality and by way of providing financial savings to households and businesses.
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
The European Parliament has approved a law on 12th March to reduce building emissions across the EU under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The aim is to decarbonise European buildings mid-century. Recommended measures to achieve this include increasing solar panel use and continued phasing out of fossil fuels. Currently 36% of the EU’s carbon dioxide is due to buildings which this Directive seeks to eliminate. The implementation of the law is viewed positively for the flexibility it provides to member states in achieving this Directive with 2-years to create their own plans and states that EU funding will be available to assist in the transition.
Consultations
Galway City and County Councils
Clifden Railway Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge
Galway City Council is seeking feedback from the public on the proposed new Clifden Railway Bridge Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge. The proposed bridge will use the abutments of the former Clifden Railway Bridge and will link the Dyke Road area with the University of Galway campus. The reinstatement of the bridge as a pedestrian and cycle link will connect places of study, work, retail, and recreation using sustainable modes of transport.
You can submit three design options for the bridge by 5:00 PM on 11th April 2024.
Land Development Agency (LDA) Dyke Road Lands Consultation
The Land Development Agency (LDA) and Galway City Council (GCC) are seeking the public’s views on plans to deliver over 200 homes in a mixed-use development on Dyke Road on the edge of Galway’s city centre. In partnership with Galway City Council, the LDA has launched a vision document for the project containing proposals for the development. There is no defined consultation period, however, local meeting details will be published in due course, and interested stakeholders may contact the LDA via email, phone or post.
- Email: community@corribcauseway.ie
- Phone
- Post: The Land Development Agency The Portershed, 15 Market Street, Galway, H91 TCX3
Pedestrian and Cycling (Toucan) Crossings at Browne Roundabout
The Browne Roundabout is a five-arm roundabout located at the N6, N59, R338 Seamus Quirke Road junction and the University Hospital Galway access road. Galway City Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland are proposing to construct several toucan crossings adjacent to this roundabout.
The Browne Roundabout is a five-arm roundabout located at the N6, N59, R338 Seamus Quirke Road junction and the University Hospital Galway access road. Galway City Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland are proposing to construct several toucan crossings adjacent to this roundabout.
You can submit the proposed design until 28th March 2024.
- Email: activetravel@galwaycity.ie
- Post: Active Travel, Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway, H91X4K8.
Oranmore to Train Station Active Travel Scheme
Galway County Council is seeking feedback on the proposed active travel scheme linking Oranmore Town and Oranmore Train Station along the coast road. Submissions must be made by the 11th of April 2024. Details on the scheme can be found at the link below.
- Email: activetravel@galwaycoco.ie
National
Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT)
Following the deferral of the first liability date, the revised Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) maps have been published and are open for consultation in all 31 Local Authorities. Submissions regarding corrections to the RZLT maps and inclusion of lands on the map must be received by 1 April 2024. Requests to vary the zoning of the land within the development plan must be received by 31 May 2024. The revised maps can be found at the link below. Submissions should be made to the relevant Local Authority.
Shared Mobility Hubs
The Department for Transport has published for public consultation an Issues Paper on Shared Mobility Hubs. This paper outlines the rationale for the development of shared mobility and mobility hubs in the context of Ireland’s emissions reduction targets, as well as setting out some of the key issues to be explored and addressed within an Irish context.
- Email: mobilitysubmissions@transport.gov.ie
- By post: Sustainable Mobility Management and Implementation Division, Department of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin, D02 TR60.
Submissions should be received by 3 May 2024.
Local Consultations per the OPR
Drogheda Joint Local Area Plan
County Louth and County Meath are preparing to prepare a Joint Local Area Plan for Drogheda. A Strategic Issues Paper which provides an overview of challenges and opportunities in Drogheda. This Plan will set out the land use strategy for the future of Drogheda with the intended focus of population and economic growth, housing and community facilities, regeneration, climate change, environmental protection and investment in infrastructure.
The deadline has been extended until Wednesday, 27th March at 4:30 PM to make a submission on the Issues Paper for the future draft Joint Local Area Plan. In writing, with the label: Pre-Draft Issues Paper Drogheda Joint Local Area Plan either to:
- Planning Section, Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth A91 W20C
- Senior Executive Officer, Planning Section, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath C15 Y291
Blessington Local Area Plan (LAP)
County Wicklow is beginning to prepare a Local Area Plan and has prepared an issues paper to guide the considerations for the future LAP. Topics currently under consideration include:
- Housing, population and compact growth
- Regeneration of communities and places, healthy placemaking and urban design
- Economic opportunity, tourism, shops and services and community facilities
- Heritage, biodiversity, green infrastructure, climate action and energy
- Infrastructure, sustainable movement and transportation
- Environmental assessment, implementation/delivery of the LAP
Submissions can be made until Wednesday, 3rd April 2024.
Arklow and Environs Local Area Plan
County Wicklow is beginning to prepare a Local Area Plan for Arlow and Environs and has prepared an Issues Paper to guide the considerations for the future LAP. Topics currently under consideration include:
- Housing, population and compact growth
- Regeneration of communities and places, healthy placemaking and urban design
- Economic opportunity, tourism, shops and services and community facilities
- Heritage, biodiversity, green infrastructure, climate action and energy
- Infrastructure, sustainable movement and transportation
- Environmental assessment, implementation/delivery of the LAP
Submissions can be made before Tuesday, 2nd April 2024.