Dear Cora,
Thank you for taking the time to discuss above on 26 May 2021.
As suggested, I set out under the arguments in favour of re-zoning the land referred to as (D) in the enclosed land Registry compliant map. As you know the site concerned is serviced by the Ballina town water supply, sewage, and of late, broadband services.
The site comprises 0.7 hectares and is part of the last remnant of the Clarke family farm, most of which was made available to the County Council for the Coca-Cola facility back in 1999. From the proceeds of the sale 40% capital gains tax was paid to the Exchequer. You will no doubt be aware that the Coke facility now accounts for 200 direct high level jobs in Ballina and at least 70 ancillary service jobs.
Given its limited size, the site is no longer a viable agricultural unit, abutted to the north and south by residential units and to the west by the Coca- Cola plant.
As a result of the likely changes in working arrangements resulting from Covid, the site would suit young professionals working from home. In this regard, the ready availability of broadband makes it ideal for that purpose. The availability of this and other high quality sites is likely to attract high worth and qualified individuals back to Ballina.
From an economic perspective, it makes sense to include the site in the Ballina residentially zoned land bank. You will appreciate that providing water, sewage, and broadband service to a non viable agricultural unit makes no economic sense.
Re-zoning it would perfectly dovetail with National and County planning which prioritises serviced land for residential zoning purposes.
Regarding the latter, you will no doubt be aware, that the ongoing Covid pandemic has brought into sharp focus the attractiveness of home working. Since Ballina is an important local and Government administrative hub, and given the demand for sites in Belleek, the land in question would be best used as a residential unit.
In light of the above I would ask that the zoning of the land in question be changed from its current agriculture zoning to residentially zoned land. In this latter context, it should be noted that planning permission for six houses was granted in 2014 on land that was zoned agricultural and located much further from the town. I would be grateful if you could acknowledge receipt of this mail and ensure that it is considered and taken into account in the framework of the new Ballina Local Area Development plan.
Yours faithfully,
Vincent Clarke
OBO Martin Clarke.
Enclosure 1 of 2
Enclosure 2 of 2.
