A draft of a local area plan for Ireland West Airport Knock, which Mayo County Council hoped to have ready for the members of the Swinford Electoral Area committee for the November meeting, has been held up. Members of the committee were informed this week by council officials that they were still working on the environmental assessment and the Habitats Directive assessment for the area of the plan. The members were told that the council was doing the work on these assessments in-house, whereas previously it would have been contracted to outside consultants, but they still hoped to have a draft plan ready for the councillors before Christmas.
Sinn Féin councillor Gerry Murray said it was important the council get the plan prepared properly with all necessary parts completed to move forward. He added that the assessments are very important as there were concerns from some landowners in the area about potential flooding issues.
Members agreed it was right that the council get all parts of the plan completed properly, with Cllr Joe Mellet saying, “The real winner at the end of the day will be the airport and we can call a special meeting in December to discuss the draft when it’s completed.”
