*Broadford.
BROADFORD and Cooraclare’s inclusion in a pilot scheme for sewage infrastructure in rural villages has been dealt a setback.
It comes following the directive issued by Minister of State at the Department of Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell (FG) to Clare County Council to reinstate zoning objectives for Broadford and Cooraclare as set out in the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029.
Lands in Broadford and Cooraclare had been designated low density residential in the County Development Plan but this has been overruled by the Junior Minister and the Office of the Planning Regulator. Approximately 25 acres of land in Broadford have been dezoned as a result.
In April 2022, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien (FF) announced the launch of the €50m scheme for essential sewage infrastructure for rural villages. In September, Broadford and Cooraclare were submitted by Clare County Council in an official application for inclusion.
Frustration has been expressed by community groups in both areas and by local councillors at the delay at which it has taken the Minister to announce details on the scheme.
On Tuesday afternoon, representatives of the Broadford Community Action Group, councillors, TDs and Senators met at the offices of Clare County Council. A follow up meeting has been set for October 9th.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) admitted that the directive issued to the Council this week was a blow for both Broadford and Cooraclare. “It is a concern and there’s no point saying it is not a concern. We would have preferred if the lands were left zoned and it might have given a better opportunity for getting the go ahead for the pilot wastewater scheme announced by the Government, there has been good work by our Oireachtas members with Minister O’Brien to get the scheme in place but unfortunately there has been long delays in the announcement of the villages approved.
“I’ve been onto the Taoiseach since my election as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council looking for an update, I’m still waiting for feedback but the latest I’ve been told is we will be given an update in the month of August. I am still hopeful that both Broadford and Cooraclare will be included in the pilot scheme, they are thriving villages and a lot is happening in those areas,” Cllr Cooney added.
O’Callaghans Mills’ Cooney acknowledged that the directive issued to the local authority was a setback to their potential inclusion. “I’d have my concerns but again it won’t be want or lack of pressure put on the Minister to see if this scheme can be approved. We’ve 50 settlements in our county all dezoned for lack of infrastructure and it’s totally unfair, it’s outside of the control of the people in these villages, it’s very disappointing, it is something which should have been addressed going back the years but this is now a matter for Irish Water and there is no point saying otherwise, the Government have put a pilot scheme in place. It is a setback but I’m still hopeful because very good applications were made, we will have to turn around and do a variation of the County Development Plan if they are approved”.
Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) has said there can be no further delays in issuing a decision on the applications. “I am confident that Minister Darragh O’Brien will follow through on his promise to deliver a national pilot scheme for unsewered villages in the coming weeks,” he said.
