By Dan Walsh
Not all of the 34 elected members were there, but there was a quorum overflow, and there was a sense of normality to business as members gathered in person in ‘the Street’ at Wexford County Council headquarters at Carricklawn, Wexford, last Monday to discuss the draft County Development Plan and progress it to the next stage.
Fresh Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy was in the chair for several deferred motions from the June meeting and some new motions submitted. The detail was very thorough with most queries directed at Diarmuid Heuston, Senior Executive Planner, who was most efficient in his replies to members queries.
The Council decided by a majortty of 17-8 to continue with the draft County Development process.
The meeting lasted three hours (with break to satisfy Covid-19 guidelines) with plenty of interaction and robust exchanges, at times, as 30 motions were dealt with.
Everything from rural housing, housing density to seaside residences, Cllr Jim Codd pointed out that the 3km radius was a disadvantage in coastal areas like Kilmore Quay, Cllr Jackser Owens wants people to live in their town, Cllrs John Fleming, John Hegarty, Michael Whelan were voiceorious about the needs of the communities they represent, but in fairness, it was a wide-ranging honest discussion without rancour and anger.
The draft County Development Plan will be available to make submissions in October. and there are still opportunities for public consultation, and it is important that the views of all are taken into consideration as the Plan will exist for seven years and, also, area plans for Enniscorthy, Wexford, Gorey and New Ross will be devised using the County Plan.
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