Members of the county council’s planning and economic development strategic policy committee have proposed that a submission be forwarded to the West Regional Authority in order to be included in the Regional Planning Guidelines 2004-2016.
Jim McGovern from the West Regional Authority informed SPC members on Monday that in order to ensure the successful implementation of the National Spatial Strategy, People, Places and Potential 2002 to 2020, the review process of regional planning guidelines has commenced with the review completed by 2010.
Key issues to be addressed, according to Mr McGovern, will be under categories such as settlement strategy, population and housing, industrial and commercial development, transport and service infrastructure, energy and communication, and the tourism sector, as well as a greater focus on the environment and strategic flood risk assessment.
Observations and representations have to be sent in by April 15. Director of services Joe Loftus said that observations for the Mayo region which need to be submitted by April 15 should include that Ireland West Airport Knock should be identified as a development area, and that consideration should be given towards the areas surrounding the gas pipeline projects as well as focusing on the islands, Gaeltacht areas, and Ballina, Westport, and Castlebar.
