Development Incentives and Controls
How Budget is Spent
Payroll - €290,820
Operational - €599,500
Administration - €65,000
Establishment - €145,300
Financial - €66,900
Miscellaneous - €0
Sources of Funding
State Grant & Subsidies - €0
Goods and Services - €365,000
Rates - €535,195
Local Government Fund - €267,325
Street Enhancement Projects
Introduction
The Planning Department of Sligo Borough Council received 126 Planning Applications received by mid-November, 2007. This number is expected to increase to 133 by the year end.
Of those 126 applications, 118 were valid applications and 8 were invalid. A total of 123 decisions were made. Planning permission was granted in 117 cases and 6 applications were refused. The number of Pre-Planning meetings as at 30th September, 2007 was 101, which is a quarterly average of 33 meetings.
Pre-planning meetings give an opportunity for interested parties to meet the planner or other senior officials who can advise them in broad terms about their proposal.
The work on introducing e-Planning continued in 2007. G-Plan and IDocs were made available to internal staff in September and became available to the public in November.
Riverside Enhancement
Phase 3 of the Riverside Enhancement Scheme is to commence shortly, this phase will be the last element of the enhancement works along riverside until the scheme is taken up by the landscaping works associated with the proposals for a new Eastern Bridge at Riverside. Phase 3 provides for the replacement of the existing railings, the continuation of the paving, landscaping and street furniture that has been provided in stages 1and 2 of the project.
The design quality of this scheme has been recognized in the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), annual awards by being chosen for inclusion in the associated national touring exhibition of projects in two categories:
- Best Public Space
- Best Accessible Project
Stephen Street Square
This is a new project under consideration opposite the Ulster Bank and envisages the paving and reorganization of the junction to introduce traffic calming measures and pedestrian friendly pavements, including works to facilitate a ramp for persons with special needs, that connect across Hyde Bridge to the O’Connell Street Enhancement scheme. The proposal is to develop the scheme through the public consultation phase and Part 8 in 2008 with construction beginning in 2009. The area of the scheme is approximately 1500 sq metres.
Quay Street Car Park and Stephen Street Car Park
The Borough Council has a long term Strategy that evisages both Quay Street and Stephen Street Car parks being developed as inner urban parks. Each location has the advantage of being adjacent to water, be it the Estuary or the Garavogue river which add to the amenity value of each proposed park. In the interim Sligo Borough Council is working with Sligo County Council on improvements to the Railings and public lighting along Custom House Quay and along the north side of the Quay Street car park.
O’Connell Street Enhancement
Sligo Borough Council have a vision for Sligo; that of a compact city, a city for people, an accessible city, a green city, an enterprising city, a creative city.
The urban core of the city is to be a place of safety and human scale, free of the barriers created by traffic congestion and delivered back to the pedestrian in such a way that provides sustainable streets and places, that provide a balance between the demands of commercial realities and the need for calmed places for people to meet, carry out their business affairs and avail of the amenity that civic places, squares, and greens can provide.
Pedestrianisation and Urban Enhancement are key tools in the delivery of this vision and are pillars to the Gateway vision that is enshrined in the Sligo and Environs Development Plan 2004-2010.
Much has been achieved along the banks of the Garavogue river where the amenity value of the flowing river has been captured in a balance between commercial enterprise and it’s recreational potential. Much is planned and is being delivered in the new commercial quarter to the west of O Connell Street in the Wine Street Centre Block Development. The first phase, that of Johnston Court shopping complex has just opened. An Bord Pleanala has granted permission to two further major elements of the Centre Block Masterplan and a fourth element is currently going through the planning process.
Combined, these commercial projects will generate a new pedestrianised civic square around which new residential, retail and recreational opportunity will be enjoyed. The square will be connected by pedestrian linkages to the existing urban core, via O’Connell Street.
Development Planning
Sligo and Environs Development Plan
The statutory review of the Sligo and Environs Development Plan commenced in December 2007 and will take approximately two years to complete. A guide to the review of the plan has been prepared to assist members of the public to participate in the review.
Local Area Plan – Sligo Harbour
It is proposed to prepare a local area plan for the harbour area area. A significant amount of preparatory work has been completed and consultation has taken place with the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the carrying out of a Strategic Environmental Assessment associated with the plans. Consideration is being given to the holding of an urban design competition as a prelude to the preparation of the plan. A report will issue to the members in early 2008 when the position is clarified.
The Council has commissioned an Urban Design Framework for the Hughes Bridge/Lower Quay Street area. A provision of €135,000 is included in the 2008 budget for the preparation of the above plans.
Gateway Innovation Fund
The Development Planning Unit was involved in the submission of an application for funding under the Gateway Innovation Fund. A detailed proposal has been submitted incorporating the four identified projects to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Other Development and Promotion
Increased funding is provided for in this area to assist in promoting Sligo as an attractive tourist location.
Community and Enterprise Function
Sligo Borough Council continues to assist residence and community groups in their effort to improve the aesthetic appearances of estates and streets.
Twinning of Local Authorities
A reciprocal visit from the town of Keszthely in Central Hungary is to take place in 2008. This link was suggested by the Hungarian Ambassador to Ireland to further cultural links between Sligo and Keszthely.
