Tipperary County Council approves new six-year development plan for Carrick-on-Suir

Carrick-on-Suir's new land use development plan for the next six years was unanimously approved by councillors at Tipperary County Council’s May monthly meeting and will come into effect on June 23.

The Carrick-on-Suir Local Area Plan 2025-2031 is the first land use blueprint for Carrick-on-Suir town and environs in 12 years and will replace the 2013 Carrick-on-Suir Town Development.

It was tabled for approval at the Council’s May meeting and formally proposed and seconded by Cllr Marie Murphy of Fine Gael and Cllr Michael Smith of Fianna Fáil respectively. Preparation of the LAP began last October and it went through several public consultation phases before the draft plan’s final approval at the Council meeting in Nenagh on May 12.

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The Council Chief Executive’s report on the final public consultation in relation to the proposed material alterations to the draft plan was presented to councillors at the meeting.

Council Executive Planner Fergal O’Donnell reported the Council received 14 submissions in relation to the material alterations proposed and the CEO’s report recommended some changes to the plan following consideration of those submissions.

Most of the submissions were received from Government departments, agencies and bodies including Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the OPW, Department of Housing & Local Government, Department of Transport’s Marine Survey Office, the Department of Education, the EPA and Maritime Area Regulatory Authority.

Submissions were also received from Waterford City & County Council, Uisce Éireann, House Martins Conservation UK & Ireland and Carrick-on-Suir Town Centre First Team.

There was one land zoning related submission from Thomas O’Donoghue on behalf of Mr L. and Mr J. O’Sullivan.

Independent Clonmel Cllr Niall Dennehy asked the Council CEO to confirm the reason these development plans aren’t approved by councillors at borough or municipal district level was because the borough district and municipal districts were nothing more than sub-committees of councillors with no power.

Mr O'Donnell responded that the Local Government Act states the plans can be made at municipal district level or plenary council level.

The convention was for them to be approved at plenary level. But he stressed all the workshops in relation to the preparation of Carrick Local Area Plan were held with councillors at local level so all local public representatives were cognisant of the changes being made.