Call to scrap development plan

A Nenagh councillor has called for the National Development Plan to be "scrapped" over insufficient water treatment plant capacity to meet projected housing demand.

Cllr Séamie Morris said local authorities are being asked by the Government to zone more land for housing based on a plan with population trends and treatment plant capabilities that are "out of kilter". Speaking at a meeting of Tipperary Co Council, he described the situation as an "absolute farce".

"I think it's time we called it out," Cllr Morris said. "The National Development Plan should be scrapped."

A number of speakers were in agreement, including Cllr John Crosse, who said councils are being asked to pass Local Area Plans that are "not worth the paper they're written on" because Uisce Éireann has not provided the water infrastructure to build houses.

Cllr Joe Hannigan called for a meeting with Uisce Éireann about the situation. He said there is little use in zoning land for housing that could not be built until the treatment plant capacity issue is dealt with.

Ballycommon is a case in point, where Cllr Hannigan said 35 new houses are "ready to go" with plans in place for more, but nothing can be done about them until the treatment plant is upgraded. Also raising the matter at a meeting of Nenagh Municipal District the same week, Cllr Hannigan said this is just one of many examples of stalled housing development around the county.

Cllr John Carroll said the local authority needs to work with with Tipperary's six TDs on "penetrating" Uisce Éireann. Otherwise, it would be faced with the same situation in another 12 months, he warned.

Director of Services Dave Carroll pointed out that the National Development Plan is currently under review and public submissions can be made. He also made the point that Uisce Éireann holds an annual workshop with councillors. Mr Carroll said the water authority could be asked to bring forward the next workshop.

CEO Sinéad Carr said the council would be engaging with the Oireachtas members in the coming weeks with regard to the National Development Plan. Housing would be "front and centre" as far as Tipperary Co Council is concerned, said Ms Carr.

The CEO was concerned about Tipperary not being afforded the same level of attention as the urban centres and said she would seek to ensure that the county is not forgotten about when it comes to water infrastructure.