SERVICES
NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF THE DRAFT
MONAGHAN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2025 – 2031
Monaghan County Council, being the Planning Authority for the County, has prepared a Draft Monaghan County Development Plan for the period 2025-2031. The Draft Development Plan sets out the policies and objectives for the development of the County over the Plan period.
The Draft Plan is accompanied by a number of Appendices including a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report, an Appropriate Assessment (AA) Natura Impact Report and a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
The Draft Plan Written Statement, Appendices and Maps can be viewed by clicking the relevant boxes below:
AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS
Printed copies of the Draft Plan, Appendices and Maps may be inspected at the following locations:
- The Planning Department, 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan Town, H18 X982 from 9.15am-1.00pm and 1.30pm-5.00pm
- Monaghan Municipal District Office, The Glen, Monaghan Town, H18 YT50 from 9.00am- 1.00pm and 1.30pm-5.00pm
- Castleblayney-Carrickmacross Municipal District Office, Riverside Road, Carrickmacross, A81 HY83 from 9.00am-5.00pm
- Ballybay-Clones Municipal District Office, The Diamond, Clones, Co. Monaghan, H23 X378 from 9.15am-5.15pm
Printed copies are also available at the following branch libraries:
- Monaghan Library, North Road, Monaghan, H18 RP20
- Carrickmacross Library, Riverside Road, A81 HY83
- Castleblayney Library, Gate Lodge 2, Market Square, A75 V383
- Clones Library, 98 Avenue, Clones, H23 RW70
- Ballybay Library, Birch Court, Main Street, A75 TR79
For library opening hours, please click the following link:
Branch Locator – Library (monaghan.ie)
SUBMISSIONS/OBSERVATIONS
Written submissions or observations regarding the Draft Plan may be made to the Planning Authority from Thursday 5th September 2024 to 5pm Thursday 14th November 2024.
Submissions or observations may be made:
- By registering online at https://consult.monaghancoco.ie/en/consultation/draft-monaghan-county-development-plan-2025-2031
- By email to devplan@monaghancoco.ie or
- By post addressed to, The Forward Planning Unit, Planning Department, 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan Town, H18 X982.
Submissions or observations should be made by one medium only and must include the full name and address of the person making the submission or observation and a map if applicable.
The deadline for receipt of all submissions is 5pm Thursday 14th November 2024.
SUBMISSIONS/OBSERVATIONS RECEIVED
The following submissions/observations have been received in respect of the Proposed Draft Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 (click on link to view):
https://consult.monaghancoco.ie/en/consultation/draft-monaghan-county-development-plan-2025-2031
PUBLIC INFORMATION EVENTS
A number of public information events will take place during September and October where members of the Planning Department will be available to discuss matters regarding the Draft Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. Please see poster below for details of dates and time.
Chief Executive’s Report on Pre-Draft Consultation Submissions
The Chief Executive’s Report on Pre-Draft Consultation lists the submissions made received during the pre-draft consultation period, provides a summary of the issues raised in the written submissions, and sets out the Chief Executive’s response and recommendation in relation to these issues. The elected members will consider the Chief Executive’s Report and following consideration may issue directions to the Chief Executive regarding the preparation of the draft Plan. Any such directions shall be strategic in nature, consistent with the draft core strategy and shall take account of the statutory obligations of any local authority in the area and any relevant policies and objectives of the Government. The report can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Chief Executive’s Report on Pre-Draft Consultation Submissions
Pre Draft Submissions
The Pre Draft Consultation process was held from 11th May to 7th July 2023. In addition to publication of the consultation process in the local press and on the County Council website, regular social media updates were posted on the Council’s Facebook and Twitter/X accounts. Six public consultation workshops held in the five towns during this period from 12th of June to 26th of June and radio advertisements were aired twice daily on Northern Sound during this period to publicise the review of the County Development Plan and invite members of the public to the workshops.
The Pre-Draft Consultation process attracted sixty-six submissions from a wide range of public bodies, other organisations and individuals. The comments received covered a broad range of issues within the topics of Environmental Assessment & Monitoring, Settlement Strategy, Housing Strategy, Climate Change, Environment & Heritage, Economic Activity, Infrastructure & Services, Community Services / Facilities, as well as a range of other issues that did not fall within the foregoing topics. All of the submissions can be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Notice of Intention to Review the Existing Monaghan County Development Plan 2019-2025 and to Prepare a new Monaghan County Development Plan for 2025-2031
In accordance with Section 11(1) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Monaghan County Council intends to review the existing Monaghan County Development Plan 2019-2025, and to prepare a new Monaghan County Development Plan for the period 2025-2031 for the functional area of Monaghan County Council.
The review of the existing Development Plan and preparation of the new Development Plan will be strategic in nature for the purposes of developing objectives and policies to deliver an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the Development Plan and the Core Strategy. In doing so, Monaghan County Council will take account of the statutory obligations of the Council and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or of any Minister of the Government.
What is a Development Plan?
The Development Plan is a collection of the planning objectives and policies that will be used in the functional area it applies to over the coming six years. Planning policies describe how the Council will:
- Provide and facilitate infrastructure such as roads, footpaths, cycleways
- Improve and develop local amenities
- Facilitate the provision of services for the community
- Zone land to be used for amenity, civic, community, housing, business, and industry purposes
- Ensure proper planning and sustainable development
How does the Monaghan County Development Plan affect me?
The County Development Plan is a framework for the planning and development of the County for the next six years. The County Development Plan will set out where roads, water supplies, sewerage are to be provided, and will facilitate the development of community facilities and amenities. The County Development Plan will also identify land that will be zoned to be used for housing, shopping, schools, factories, etc.
How is a Development Plan prepared?
Under legislation called the Planning & Development Act 2000 each planning authority (Local Authority) is required to prepare a development plan. The development plan is made by the elected members of the council. The final plan is prepared following consultation with the public and other relevant regional and national organisations.
How long does it take prepare a Development Plan?
It takes approximately two years to prepare a county development plan. The law requires that planning authorities must commence a review of a development plan within four years of the previous plan being made, and make a new plan every six years. The current County Development Plan was adopted in 2019 and will end in 2025. Monaghan County Council are in the process of preparing a new development plan for the County and the towns of Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones and Ballybay. The end result of this process will be a new composite County Development Plan document for County Monaghan that will cover the period 2025-2031.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of development plans prior to their final adoption. The objectives of SEA are to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to promote sustainable development. The Planning Authority is required under this legislation to prepare an environmental report on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the new development plan. The Planning Authority will carry out a SEA pursuant to Article 13B of the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations (S.I 436 of 2004) (as amended) as part of the review of the existing Development Plan and the preparation of the new Development Plan. The provisions of Articles 13C to 13J of these regulations shall also apply.
Appropriate Assessment (AA)
An Appropriate Assessment (AA) is an assessment of the potential effects that the objectives or policies of the new County Development Plan would have on the conservation objectives of the network of designated important ecological sites that are of European importance. These sites are known as Natura 2000 sites and comprise of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. In accordance with Article 6 of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and Section 177U of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) a Stage One screening exercise shall be carried out as part of the process of preparing the new development plan. Following the Stage One screening exercise, a Stage Two Appropriate Assessment (AA) shall be subsequently carried out, if required.
Consultation Paper
In order to stimulate debate and encourage participation in the process, a consultation paper outlining some of the strategic issues for the County has been prepared and is available to view and download by clicking on the link below.
Strategic Issues and Options Paper
Paper copies are also available to view during normal opening hours at the following locations:
- Planning Offices, 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan, H18 X982
- Carrickmacross – Castleblayney Municipal District Offices, Civic Offices, Riverside Road, Carrickmacross, A81 RY22
- Ballybay – Clones Municipal District Offices, Market House, The Diamond, Clones, H23 FK29
- All Monaghan County Council branch libraries
Infographic Sheets
A number of infographic sheets which provide additional information under topics relevant to the Development Plan are available to download below:
2. Environmental Assessment & Monitoring
7. Climate Change, Environment & Heritage
8. Climate Change, Environment & Heritage
9. Climate Change, Environment & Heritage
10. Climate Change, Environment & Heritage
16. Community Services & Facilities
Public Meetings Presentations
The presentation given at the pre draft public consultation meetings can be downloaded below. PreDraft Public Meetings Presentation
How to Get Involved
Interested parties are now invited to make submissions or observations in writing regarding objectives and policies to deliver an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the new Development Plan. Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are also entitled to make submissions or observations.
Whilst the Planning Authority intends to review the zoning of the area of the Development Plan for the purposes of developing objectives and policies to deliver an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the Development Plan and the Core Strategy, requests/proposals for the zoning of particular land for any purpose shall not be considered at this stage.
Public Engagement/Consultation – Pre-Draft Stage
The Forward Planning Team organised a series of six public information evenings throughout the month of June in venues in Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney,Clones and Ballybay , where members of the public could speak to the Forward Planning Team. There will be further opportunities for public consultation when the Draft Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 is published in 2024.
Making a Submission or Observation
The period for making submissions in respect of the Pre-Draft Stage of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 is now closed. However if you have any queries in relation to the Development Plan process please contact devplan@monaghancoco.ie or phone 047-30532.
Data Protection
Any observations or submissions received will be made public, therefore the name and address of the person(s) or body making the submission must be indicated clearly on a cover sheet, separate to the content of the associated submission/observation. Any personal data supplied as part of this Public Consultation process shall be processed in accordance with the principles laid out in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Personal data is any information that can identify a living individual. These laws exist to ensure that your data is managed safely and used responsibly. Any information, which you submit will be kept securely and will not be disclosed or shared with other parties (unless required by law or stated in our privacy policy). A Privacy Statement for this consultation is available to view below.
Privacy Statement
Who can I speak to about the new Development Plan?
You can contact the Forward Planning Team at devplan@monaghancoco.ie or on 047 30532 if you require any further clarification / information.
Cathal Flynn
Director of Economic Development, Planning & Capital Projects
11th May 2023