Main opinions

Tree Towns Initiative gets communities planting the right trees, in the right place, at the right time, for the right reasons, using the right tools and techniques.

Encourage active travel and expand greenway network

Building community resilience, providing food security, enhancing the local landscape.

Urban sprawl and densification is responsible for the significant loss of green infrastructure and greenspace within cities and towns, making them less hospitable to wildlife and more susceptible to the impacts of flooding and climate change. The UN’s Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services concludes that global biodiversity levels on land have dropped by at least 20% from 1900 and around one million species are at risk of extinction, with changes in land use being the main driver. (Díaz et al. 2019). Given this pressure on land globally, the urban ecosystem will become increasingly important to mitigate biodiversity decline. Using green infrastructure is recognised as a desirable approach because it delivers multiple social, economic and environmental benefits. Surfaces covered by vegetation not only enhance biodiversity but also mitigate flooding risk and air pollution, sequester carbon dioxide, cool down “urban heat islands” and increase the aesthetics, enjoyment and health benefits of urban spaces. Several studies have also shown that urban green areas have a direct impact on land value. With nearly 70% of the world’s population expected to live in cities by 2050 (UN 2018), the necessity to conserve and protect urban green infrastructure and wildlife is fundamental to the functioning of society, the environment and the economy.

The strategic importance of the emerging circular and bio economy for rural towns such as Béal an Mhuirthead needs to be included in Chapter 4

Over reliance on onshore wind energy and allowing large wind farm developers and EirGrid direct the council as opposed to the other way around

Observations and submission on reducing light pollution in Public Open Spaces, Shop Fronts, Car Parks, Light & Illumination, Reducing light pollution on Heritage and Architectural features.

New Project Proposal Active Travel Corridor (Walk and Cycle Lane) linking Ballyhaunis - Bekan - Knock on existing public fenced margin

An Alternative to Wind Energy

Residential development

Strategic Economic plans for the Coastal Corridor should be outlined in Chapter 4 together with economic development objectives for Béal an Mhuirthead (Belmullet) as a strategic town.

Balla has been accepted on to the SEC (Sustainable Energy Communities) Initiative which is coordinated by SEAI. We have also applied to become Mayo's first Decarbonizing Zone and as a community is very aware of its environmental responsibilities.

This submission applies particularly to Chapters 04: Economic Development, and 05 Tourism and Recreation, and 10 Natural Environment, and also has significance for chapters: 8 Sustainable Communities and 11 Climate Action and Renewable Energy. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for Counties Mayo and Galway.

The impact of Light pollution emissions on ecology and the natural environment should be recognised in planning for lighting near water bodies and other sensitive habitats. Policy to be formally adopted by MCC on the reduction blue light emissions, timing, direction and quantity of light. Mayo CC to lead with best practice and actively reduce light pollution across the county.

Newport as the gateway town to Mayo Dark Sky Park, is the first experience a visitor encounters on travelling to the Dark Sky Park. However, currently its lighting practices are causing light pollution, and affecting the quality of the night sky in the area. A Lighting Master Plan has been drafted and images provided on designs for lighting adjustments which will be a solution to this issue. Their completion will also be an attraction for the town and align with a sustainable town objectives. In the longer term this will be a template for other areas to follow and an example of best practice for other sources of light pollution around the county. It will be Ireland's first dark sky friendly town.

The extension of the Greenway north of Mulranny does not appear to be sufficiently focused in the Plan (it is not specifically referenced in the Tourism section and only appears near the end of the list in the "Movement & Transport" section per Table 6.4)

East mayo greenway if not built will be an indictment on the councllors

Ballycroy National Park - additional Greenway amenity for visitor experience. The hub of Ballycroy NP visitor center should be prioritized for the long distance greenway extension.

A Greenway on the closed rail route from Charlestown to Ballindine would correct the imbalance in East Mayo, and identifies perfectly with Ref TRP 9 & TRP 10 of the county development plan. Working in conjunction with Sligo Co Co, this would cover a huge section of the national development plan on walking and cycling network. It would connect the great western greenway all the way from Achill to Enniskillen. Mayo County Plan Ref TRP 13 states; To work with the National Transport Authority, Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and all stakeholders to develop a coordinated approach to the selection, delivery and servicing of future greenways, blueways, trails and routes throughout the county. Mayo County Plan Ref : TRP 17 states; To support developments which will enable and encourage countryside recreation in appropriate locations to foster and an increased appreciation of, and access to, the natural environment.

The draft plan should further consider reducing impact of excess lighting emissions, through adaptive lighting. Energy retrofits for LED lighting must also be dark sky friendly. Light pollution should be included in Greening Built Environments and Nature Based solutions.

Ireland West Airport supports Mayo County Councils strategic aim to ‘To support the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor in order to deliver the Tuam – Claremorris – Sligo Rail at an appropriate level of service and at a standard capable of facilitating passenger and freight transport and present an opportunity to provide an integrated rail linkage to the Ireland West Airport Knock and its Strategic Development Zone.

As a peripheral island with an open internationally trading economy, the aviation sector has been fundamental to the economic development of County Mayo and indeed the entire West and North West regions of the country. The returns on rebuilding the tourism industry, and especially the protection of jobs in the sector from a County Mayo perspective, should be considerable.

The Airport supports the key objectives below as defined in the Mayo County Council draft plan. EDO 29 To promote and facilitate the growth of Ireland West Airport as a creative and innovative area that is globally competitive, internationally linked, attractive and open. EDO 30 To support, promote and facilitate the implementation of the approved Planning Scheme for the designated SDZ at Ireland West Airport (including the mitigation measures of the statutory environmental assessment carried out for the planning scheme), which provides the framework for the expansion of the airport in terms of its transport and business operations and as a new business and enterprise destination. EDO 31 To support and recognize the important national and Regional role of Ireland West Airport in the economic life of the county and region and to facilitate its activities and development, having regard to the IWAK SDZ.

Lighting of public buildings should be an example of best practice and not cause light pollution.

People living in communities should have input into the operation and management of their local communities

We recommend that Astrotourism is included as a key Tourism Category for the county. t would be remiss not to include AstroTourism (or Dark Sky Tourism) as a key category, given significant development plans for this field within the county

The concept of a dark sky policy aligns with a number of the SDGs and takes an holistic approach to artificial lighting for a nocturnal environment and the community needs. It is appropriate to highlight the applicable connections and recognition of these alignments will assist local authority in future decision making on planning for artificial light in our communities.

There's a proposal for an affordable housing development at this location

I would ask that all the recommendations of the Kiltimagh Community Futures Group action plan to be agreed and implemented.

The need for a Greenway on the closed railway line between Charlestown and Kiltimagh

No to wind farms

Demountable cabins

How dangerous the Mulranny Beach road is.

As part of the European Climate Target Plan, the present Mayo County Development plan draft reflects the revising of Directive 2018/2001 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, with the aim to ensure that RES cost-effectively and sustainably contribute to at least 55% GHG emissions reduction in 2030, in line with the Climate Target Plan and reaching a 38% to 40% share in 2030.

That, in the interest of this county's children and schools, Mayo County Council does not surrender its role in proper planning with regard to schools to the Department of Education and Skills.

Site highlited in yellow should be classed as an opportunity site

The Achill /Ballycroy/ Mulranny Junction is extremely Dangerous and needs to be addressed

We welcome the plans as proposed in the Appendix III - Municipal Districts Projects

Zoning of villages and towns in collaboration with local communities, with a shared vision of planned outcomes

Our primary issue with this section is that it is too vague, that it relies on data and statistics from 2018, that it lacks ambition and that overall, it is not given the centrality it should have. Without this, the rest of the plan, and the rhetoric that climate action underpins everything rings hollow. Active commitment and leadership on climate change and renewable energy is fundamental for sustainable communities, transport, tourism, housing and all the other areas the Plan addresses.

Mayo Farmers must be encouraged to continue to be the proactive curators of the vital ecology and heritage on their lands. The council itself must take the lead in and end the retrograde destruction of native trees and hedgerows along roadways in lazy road maintenance.

The Mayo Greens welcome the support within the Development Plan for Mayo’s heritage, vernacular buildings and historic buildings. We also welcome the commitments to regeneration and the generation of a database of brown fill sites which can be developed.

There is very little new in this section of the Plan; it is largely a continuation of the existing policies. This section of the Plan should be completely revised, and revised in light of Climate Change particularly. Research by TASC, the Think Tank for Action on Social Change, shows that people care more about community development than climate change. Therefore, communities have to see that their communities will grow and thrive as a result of climate action, not the opposite.

The county Development Plan should include a stated dark sky friendly lighting policy

There is not enough emphasis on the reduction of waste in the first place in the waste management plan set out in the Plan.

The introduction to this section in the Plan is almost defeatist. The plan states that sustainable mobility is a challenge for Mayo because of the poor public transport in the County and the over-reliance on the car as the primary mode of transport. However, this can be, and has to be, turned around over the coming six years. Like the housing section, the Mayo Greens feel that many aspects of this section lack ambition and real vision for meaningful change in how we get around Mayo.

make it easier for NGO's environmental groups to fulfill their obligations

Tourism and recreation in Mayo has to be hardwired to the needs of community. Collaboration with community and specifically Community Councils should be the backbone of all local heritage and tourism development.

The Mayo Green Party generally welcomes most of the policies and objectives set out in this section. However, we feel that this section needs to be revisited in the light of Covid-19. However, Mayo County Council cannot just simply support and facilitate the National Broadband Strategy, as set out in the Development Plan, it has to be a frontrunner in actively pushing for its swift delivery in Mayo. Broadband is essential to Mayo’s development. In addition, Mayo County Council should be supporting local based companies working for years to deliver broadband to remote homes and communities – often faster and in more innovative ways than those proposed within the glacial National Broadband Strategy.

Again, the Mayo Green Party largely welcomes the proposals and objectives within this section. However, we feel that the vision and aims on housing are not ambitious enough, particularly with regard to the provision of housing for those requiring social and affordable housing and planning for the possibility of an increase in people choosing to live in Mayo, particularly given the impact of the pandemic.

In general, the Mayo Green Party welcomes the vision set out in this section. Our view of settlement strategy is that it is all about sustainable communities - who are engaged with the local planning and development decisions of the local authority and land management – how we use our land wisely and in an interconnected way for sustainable housing, transport, business, agriculture and recreation etc.

The Plan is by the nature of such plans, vague or even scant on detail. We understand that these large, projective development plans are largely visionary or aspirational in nature. Therefore, we look forward to the implementation plans that will bring the detail of this Plan to life. We would like as a minimum to see a stepped or phased approach to the Development Plan – to see yearly targets and measurable outcomes to realise the plan between 2021 and 2027. Overall, we welcome many aspects of this Plan. We welcome many of its aspirations and the acknowledgement particularly that climate change is central to how the Council will operate over the coming six years. However, we are also wary of the lack of detail, the vagueness in many of your statements, the lack of real ambition, creativity and vision for Mayo as a collection of thriving rural and urban based communities that can continue to develop and grow precisely because of the smart climate action that the Council needs to lead on.

Ballinrobe to Tuam upgrade

Request for Mixed Use Zoning

Please give the East Mayo Greenway your support

Remote Working provides a huge opportunity for County Mayo to grab and hold onto its fair share of jobs and to greatly increase the number of people working and living in the County with sustainable jobs, future proof jobs, positively contributing to the local economy, the local population, and local communities.

To enhance the community and area of Belmullet with a particular reference to education.

Provision of a Greenway alongside the Velorail in Kiltimagh

Need for a Greenway to provide for healthy exercise needs of the local population and visitors.

East Mayo Greenway

A must for East Mayo, linking Sligo to Galway by bicycle or on foot without the dangers of using public highways containing trucks and cars.

The R312 must be number one pirority why well take a drive and you will see for yourself

Need for an amenity which would serve the needs of the communities of East Mayo

Newport can become the first Dark Sky Friendly town in Ireland, helping Mayo become a pioneer in this rapidly developing area

I would like to see a definition of dark sky friendly lighting included in the Objectives table

More specific action to redevelopment of urban areas

Community facilities should be operated and managed by people in the community

need to prioritise planning for backlands in Westport

Save rural Ireland. Build a greenway.

The inclusion of highlighted areas in the Self-Sustained Consolidation Zone of Kiltimagh, for further designation as potential residential development sites in the future.

A Greenway in East Mayo making use of the closed railway is a necessity.

Develop cycle routes and extend the greenway in such a way that locals and tourists can cycle on dedicated cycling routes and explore and enjoy what nature has to offer. SEE SCEHDULE 2 attached. Perhaps it may be possible to join other routes such as the Turlough greenway or develop routes alongside the exiting roads. Old disused road/boreens could also be use.

Support a Greenway being created through the disused rail from Swinford - Charlestown and beyond Also one from Kitimagh to Claremorris I should not cross the N5 at Ballinvoher

We are satisfied that the development of proper cycling routes in the area would result in a win win situation for all and sundry.

The building is largely intact with the 1st floor used as the English soldiers billet quarters.

I am in favor of the East Mayo Greenway being built along the existing old rail line. I am against continuing to preserve this old line.

Velorail project was only suppose to cost €200,000 and is already over budget by another €300,000. Half a million for what benefit to the community?

Manage and develop woodland and town areas in a manner that enhances the recreational and amenity value of the woodland for the benefit of the residents of Swinford and environs. Develop recreational facilities and a town walk/cycle/nature way to include exploring the development of a national standard cross county track in consultation with Athletics Ireland. Allow for Woodland Regeneration to exist along side environmentally friendly transport solutions, thus removing the number of vehicles in the town. Protect archaeological and cultural features and to link them with the town, residents and to existing and future amenities.

Designate the Western Rail Corridor for intermodal transport options

Need to comply with RSES and NDP

Belleek with its 1,000 acres of woodland is Europe's largest urban woodland, on the banks of the River Moy.

Grab the money that is there

Strong buy in implementing recommendations of FEASABILITY Study.

Greatest effort towards ensuring work on sewage treatment plant commences and infrastructure supporting new Community Center

Please support development which would be of enormous benefit to the people of the East Mayo in general and especially needed in the small towns like Swinford.

The minister of Transport clearly understands the difference between the close railway line north and south of Claremorris

Need for a Greenway along the unused railway line which would provide the health and wellbeing benefits sorely needed by the residents of this area. This is particularly true in the current pandemic situation.

In Community Futures Swinford 2013-2018 we were promised under the heading Outdoor Amenities that Swinford will develop its walking and cycling routes incorporating the Ox mountains and the river Moy,The old Railway line will be turned into a cycle path similar to the Greenway in Mulranny.

public opinion needs to be taken account

The above lists the reasons that this Greenway is long overdue and cannot reasonably be argued against any longer.

Archeological surveys found do not provide sufficient insight into the complexities of the archeological site. The proposed loop walk passes through an area which does not have sufficient evidence to ensure that no damage to the integrity of the site will be caused by the development and subsequent increase in footfall. The proposed route, as a trail, fails to pay sufficient respect to those laid to rest in the site by allowing the public to walk over a site and through a route which may contain more burial grounds.

Take note of Irish rail policy on greenways on closed railways

county council members need to give full consideration to submissions from the public before making their minds up on the issues raised by the public

Again , a no brainer ,well within the remit of the council to improve water quality and protect and enhance our natural resources. If we are to promote tourism, we need to protect or natural resources

rewet coucil bogs now and facilitate other bogs to be rewet.its a no brainer.All future planning applications that aim to build on peatland or low lying bog should be made to rewet the bog or peatland as a matter of policy going forward once the 'Windmill' or similar had being installed

The railway bridge at Devlis Ballyhaunis is a congestion point for both local and reginal traffic . Its effectively a single lane structure - demolish and rebuild.

The need for a safe area to walk and cycle using the closed railway lines instead of leaving them to rot. The work already done in Sligo to further such a project should be continued from Charlestown to Claremorris. This would provide a great boost to the recreational facilities for east Mayo. This would benefit residents as well as visitors Eventually offshoots towards Knock airport and shrine could add to the possibilities for use of such a trail.

There's a proposal to connect these lands to Claremorris town centre by way of a foot bridge over the railway tracks neighboring Claremoris railway station and thereby in doing so revitalising Claremorris town centre. Therefore we see these lands as strategic in their location for the development of the said lands as Enterprise and Employment

Bring the Greenway from Mulranny to Ballycroy

The development of biogas using grass silage as a feedstock for Anaerobic Digesters

Proposed designation of land as ‘Agriculture’ is not appropriate since the land is bordered by residential, has prior consent for residential development is within the town plan boundary and comprises hard standing which not suited for agriculture and with no alternative use other than residential.