Parking action group seeks deferral of approval of new Carrick-on-Suir Local Area Plan

An action group campaigning to save parking spaces on Carrick-on-Suir's Main Street has sought a deferral of approval of the town’s new land use strategy plan until an investigation of a complaint it has submitted to the Planning Regulator is complete.

The Main Street Business Initiative wrote to the Office of the Planning Regulator on March 5 requesting the watchdog instruct Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District to defer any vote by councillors on approving the draft Carrick-on-Suir Local Area Plan for 2025-2031.

The group representing a mix of Main Street traders, property owners and residents, sought the deferral until the OPR’s investigation of its complaint in relation to the €18m Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration Scheme planning process is complete and its findings are issued.

The draft Local Area Plan, is currently in the third stage of preparation and is due to be presented to Carrick MD’s elected members for approval in May.

The MBI is campaigning to save 21 parking spaces due to be removed in the revamp of Main Street’s streetscape under the Carrick-on-Suir Regeneration Scheme. It’s also seeking the restoration of a further six parking spaces removed temporarily during the Covid-19 pandemic to accommodate outdoor seating for hospitality businesses.

Following the breakdown of talks between the group and Carrick Municipal District management last September, the MBI submitted a number of complaints to statutory bodies including the OPR in relation to the Carrick Regeneration Scheme.

In its correspondence to the OPR on March 5, MBI representatives urged the regulator to instruct Carrick MD to defer a decision on the town’s Local Area Plan on the grounds it would be “inappropriate” and “premature” to approve the plan before the OPR issued its findings.

The MBI argued the draft development plan includes many rural renewal development measures for Carrick that are the subject of the group’s complaint.

The group argued that its complaint to the OPR raised “significant concerns regarding compliance with Irish planning law, European law, environmental law and public consultation”.

“The Main Street Business Initiative feel that proceeding with a vote on the draft development plan while the OPR is investigating a complaint could undermine the regulatory process and may be considered premature and inappropriate.”

It argued that to do so could lead to a legal challenge and invalidate the draft development plan for the town.

The MBI also contended, having taken legal opinion, that “proceeding with the vote without addressing the complaint could violate public participation rights under the Aarhus Convention and related EU directives.

The Office of the Planning Regulator said it had no comment to make on this matter.

“This concerns a specific complaint, which the OPR has been examining with a view to conclusion at the earliest opportunity,” it added.

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Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s Director of Services Brian Beck said the Council was aware MBI has written to the Office of the Planning Regulator requesting it to instruct the Council and its elected members not to vote on the new Local Area Plan for Carrick-on-Suir.

“As this request has been made to the OPR, it would be inappropriate for the Municipal District to comment on it,” he added.

 He outlined that preparation of the town’s new Local Area Plan began early last year. He described it as “an important document for the future of Carrick-on-Suir” setting out the land use strategy for the town to ensure it can “grow, support employment and new homes” sustainably and successfully.

“A fundamental part of the preparation of any Local Area Plan is encouraging and facilitating the involvement of the public at all stages of the process.

“We are now at Stage 3 of the process. This involves the publication of the proposed material amendments to the draft plan. Further engagement and submissions will be sought from the people of Carrick-on-Suir, as part of this process.

“I am not aware of any submission having been received from MBI to Stages 1 and 2.

“I would encourage MBI, along with all members of the public, community groups and businesses to review the material amendments and to consider making a submission.

He said the final stage of the plan’s preparation is the presentation of submissions received from the public to the councillors, who will then make a final decision.

“It is estimated the new Local Area Plan will be adopted before the summer, in line with the timeframes set out in legislation,” Mr Beck concluded. The Stage 3 public consultation process in concludes on March 31.

The MBI said it will not be making a submission to the draft LAP as the Council has been made aware of its members concerns and their desire to retain and restore parking spaces on Main Street, which is the group’s sole aim.