Minutes - SPC 4

Minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee 4 - Placemaking Directorate Meeting held on Wednesday 25th March, 2026 at 11am in The Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo and Virtually via Microsoft Teams


IN ATTENDANCE:

Councillor Paul Taylor (Chair)
Councillor Liam Brennan
Councillor Barry Gallagher
Councillor Ann Higgins (Teams)
Councillor Joseph Queenan

 

REPRESENTATIVES IN ATTENDANCE:

Joan Swift, Environmental/Conservation Sector
Conor McCarthy, Development/Construction Sector

 

APOLOGIES:

Cllr Fergal Nealon
Sheila Scanlon

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

Emer Concannon, Director of Services
Michael Carty, Senior Engineer
Frank Moylan, Senior Planner
Mihaela Davidescu, Senior Executive Planner
Aisling Smyth, Administrative Officer (SPC4 Meetings Administrator)

 

1.  Introduction

Cllr Taylor, Chair opened the meeting and welcomed all in attendance.

 

2.  To Confirm the Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025

Proposed:  Councillor Joseph Queenan
Seconded:  Councillor Liam Brennan

 

3.  Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

4.  2026 Priorities for Placemaking Directorate:

Emer Concannon, Director of Services made a presentation on the high-level priorities to be delivered by the Placemaking Directorate in 2026. Key areas are:

Housing Capital:

  • Housing Delivery Action Plan Delivery 2022-2026.
  • Cranmore Regeneration priorities include the Community Resource and Recreation Centre, and associated environmental improvements.

Urban Regeneration & SCC Assets

Harbour Masterplan, City Campus Masterplan, THRIVE Sligo Gaol, Sligo City Public Realm Enhancement Project “Sligo Streets” and new office space at the “Teagasc Building” Riverside.

Rural Regeneration

Outdoor recreation, rural regeneration, Historic Towns Initiative and Town Centre First.

Sligo Regional Design Office (RDO)

  • N17 Knock to Collooney and N16 Sligo to Drumkilsellagh National Road Schemes.
  • Active Travel projects including the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin, N4 Toberbride to Collooney, N15 Grange and the N59 Ballisodare.
  • Pavement Repair and Renewal – N16 and N59
  • Safety Schemes.

Planning & Heritage

  • National Planning Framework adherence
  • Planning & Development Act 2024 implementation as Parts are enacted and Regulations published
  • Sligo Urban Area Plan to be published for consultation
  • County Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan and County Sligo Heritage Strategy implementation
  • UNESCO World Heritage Bid advancement
  • Tackling Vacancy & Dereliction
  • Administering the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

Discussion/Comments:

Members acknowledged the extensive programme and the clear structure presented. The housing need countywide was acknowledged and the development of the new Housing Development Action Plan for 2027-2030 was welcomed. The challenge in getting skilled workforce to advance new builds in housing was acknowledged.  Members commended the prioritisation of dereliction measures and look forward to future updates. 

It was agreed to circulate a copy of the presentation to Members following the meeting.

 

5.  Update on Draft Variation No.1 to the Sligo County Development Plan 2024-2040

The update was delivered by Mihaela Davidescu, Senior Executive Planner. A copy of report was circulated to members in advance of the meeting. Key elements included:

The purpose of the Draft Variation is to align the County Development Plan with Ministerial Guidelines issued in 2025 in accordance with Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), i.e. the “National Planning Framework (NPF) Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities” (HGR Guidelines).

The Draft Variation was in public consultation from 6 February 2026 to 6 March 2026 via the County Council’s website and the Council’s Consultation Portal. The Portal facilitates both the making of submissions and the viewing of other persons’ or state bodies’ submissions.  74 submissions were received during the consultation period, of which one was withdrawn.

The Chief Executive’s Report is currently being prepared on submissions received and will be submitted to the Elected Members for their consideration. This is required under Section 58(11) of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (as amended).

Following the receipt of the Chief Executive’s Report, Elected Members have up to six (6) weeks to make a decision regarding the Draft Variation. It is expected that the Elected Members will consider the Chief Executive’s Report and recommendations at the Plenary Council meeting scheduled for 11th May 2026.

Discussion/Comments:

It was noted that a large percentage of the submissions received were not related to the draft variation. The need to build more houses was acknowledged. The expected ‘Rural Housing Guidelines’ and ‘Exempted Development Guidelines’ were referenced, but SCC have no correspondence from the DHLGH on these documents to date.

 

6.  Update on Sligo Public Realm:

A Presentation was delivered by Michael Carty, Senior Engineer to update members on the Sligo Public Realm. Key elements of the presentation included:

An overview of the Public Realm Plan for Sligo City “Sligo Streets”. The presentation focussed on the current works which will enhance Stephen Street/Hyde Bridge, Holborn Street, Rockwood Parade and Tobergal Lane, which will make the areas more pedestrian friendly.

The Contract is awarded to Jons Civil Engineering, and it is estimated that the work will take 18 months. Following this contract, the next phase of works will include Abbey Street, Castle Street and Grattan Street.

Discussion/Comments:

Members commended the presentation and the vision outlined. Car parking concerns were raised, and it was confirmed that meetings have been held, and are ongoing with businesses to minimise disruption to them. In addition, the contractor has a public relations plan in place to communicate the schedule of works and to give advance notice of disruptions to all stakeholders. It was requested to ensure that Sligo DPO are engaged with. It was noted that Wine Street is very difficult to navigate through for buses. The Council is working closely with the contractor and their consultants to ensure that communications are seamless.

  

7.  Any Other Business:

Emer Concannon, Director of Services brought the Circular received from the DHLGH relating to the “Developer Led Infrastructure (DLI) Initiative for Wastewater Services to support Housing Delivery” to the attention of Members for noting. This information was circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.

 

The Chair thanked all members for their time and contribution to the meeting.  The next meeting of the SPC is scheduled for 17th June, 2026.  The meeting concluded at 12.45pm.

 


Meeting Date 25/03/2026