Action group seeks release of public survey results on Carrick-on-Suir site before draft design drawn up

A parking action group has called for the results of a survey of the public’s views on how Carrick-on-Suir's former Goldcrop site should be redeveloped to be published before the draft concept design for the property is finalised and unveiled.

The Main Street Business Initiative has issued the appeal to Tipperary County Council after expressing concern the local authority will publish the results of the public consultation survey at the same time as it publishes the draft Feasibility & Concept Design of land uses for the renewal of the 2.7 acres derelict quayside site next to Dillon Bridge.

READ ALSO: Council seeks public's views on future of derelict site on Carrick-on-Suir's North Quay

The public consultation survey seeking the public’s views on the “future development potential” of the derelict site closed on June 30 with 2,060 surveys completed and submitted. Consultants Reddy Architecture + Urbanism have been appointed to devise the draft concept design for the site’s development master plan

Tipperary County Council said there were 1,976 responses to the online survey and a further 84 hard copy surveys submitted along with two written submissions.

The MBI, which is campaigning to save parking spaces on Main Street earmarked for removal under the town’s €18m Regeneration Scheme, has requested the Council to publish the results of the survey before the draft concept design is completed and unveiled.

In correspondence to the Council, the organisation that represents a group of traders, property owners, residents and tenants on Main Street and some adjoining streets, stressed the importance of publishing the survey results before finalising the concept design on the grounds of transparency, good governance and planning practice.

“The survey results are a cornerstone of the public consultation process, as they encapsulate the views, priorities, and concerns of the local community,” the MBI group wrote.

“It is a fundamental principle of good governance and planning practice that such results are made publicly available before any concept design is finalised.

“This ensures the process is transparent, inclusive, and reflective of the community’s needs.”

The action group quoted Planning & Development and Local Government legislation and EU law and directives in support of its argument.

The Nationalist asked the Council whether the survey results will be published before the draft concept design is unveiled or at the same time it is published.

Carrick Municipal District Administrator Marie Cox replied that “the survey results will be published in the context of a draft concept design that will be the subject of public consultation itself as the next step of this project, likely to be in September, following a workshop with the elected members.

“The consultants will need to take into account these results along with previous public consultations, environmental, flooding and traffic constraints, statutory and planning guidelines and other relevant issues when preparing the draft concept design.

“A full report with the survey results along with all the other information collated by the consultants will form the rationale behind the draft concept design which will go on public display with the opportunity for feedback and comments.”

Ms Cox said the Council has responded to the MBI’s concerns to clarify the concept design is not a final document. She said it was part of the “iterative process of coming up with a design that is underpinned by public consultation while considering the above factors”.

The MBI claims the general results of the survey have already been made known to certain groups in Carrick. In view of this, the group has requested the Council to send it the survey results as it believes they will have a “significant bearing on how the organisation will proceed with its complaints and the severe parking issue on Main Street”.

Ms Cox responded the Council was “unclear as to the basis of this claim”. She said the Council does not have the final results of the survey and therefore cannot have circulated them.

After the draft concept design is published, she said feedback from councillors, organisations and public submissions will contribute to the site’s completed master plan that will be presented to councillors for consideration.

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