Sligo and Environs area
Current status of the Sligo City and Environs Plan
Updated on 14 April 2021
Background information
The Sligo and Environs Development Plan 2010-2016 (SEDP) was adopted in November 2009 and was due to expire in 2015. When Sligo Borough Council was abolished in 2014, the lifetime of the SEDP was automatically extended in accordance with the legislation. In August 2017, the provisions of the SEDP were further extended through incorporation into the Sligo County Development Plan 2017-2023 (CDP).
In 2018, Sligo County Council carried out pre-draft consultation for a new Sligo and Environs LAP. This process was interrupted when amended legislation required the variation of the County Development Plan before any new local area plan could be adopted.
Update on the status of the Sligo and Environs plan review
Following the major changes introduced by the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, Sligo County Council varied its development plan. The Variation no. 1 of the Sligo CDP 2017-2023 was adopted by the Council in October 2020.
Sligo’s new designation as a Regional Growth Centre, the corresponding Strategic Plan (incorporated within the RSES) and the updated population targets set out in the Variation were meant to serve as a basis for the preparation of the Sligo and Environs Local Area Plan which was due to be undertaken in 2021.
In January 2021, the Planning Section engaged in discussions with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) in relation to the publication (in December 2020) of a Housing Supply Target Methodology (Section 28 Guidelines), and with the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) in order to establish what would be the optimal sequencing of forthcoming plans.
While the housing demand calculations require further clarifications, the OPR advised that the best option would be to incorporate the zoning objectives for all settlements (Sligo Town and Environs included) in the next County Development Plan. In other words, the main strategic policies for Sligo’s urban area (e.g. zoning and housing targets) would be included as key elements of the next CDP.
The formal review of the County Development Plan was not due to be commenced until Q4 2021, but it is now proposed to commence the process by the publication of a pre-draft consultation paper in July. The review process will take 2 years to complete. The pre-draft consultation will be carried out in summer 2021.
Future Sligo and Environs Local Area Plan
Sligo County Council is legally required to prepare a Local Area Plan for Sligo and Environs area, which has a population above the 5,000-person threshold specified in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
While the zoning and strategic provisions for County Sligo’s main urban centre will be included in the CDP 2023-2029, the detailed policies, objectives and specific development standards regarding urban regeneration, mobility, design, community facilities, open space, recreation etc. will form part of the future Sligo and Environs Local Area Plan.
The formal preparation of the Sligo and Environs LAP will commence after the Sligo County Development Plan 2023-2029 is adopted.
Should you need additional information or clarifications, please e-mail the Development Planning Unit at dpu@sligococo.ie
SEDP 2010-2016 Downloads (low resolution)
Main Document
Chapter Details
Chapter 1. Existing Context
Chapter 2. Strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
Chapter 3. Strategic goals and broad aims of the SEDP
Chapter 5. Spatial strategy
Chapter 6. The economy
Chapter 7. Housing
Chapter 8. Community facilities
Chapter 9. The value of culture in place-making
Chapter 10. Mobility: effective transport and movement
Chapter 11. Open space, sports and recreation
Chapter 12. Urban design
Chapter 13. Heritage
Chapter 14. Environmental infrastructure
Chapter 15. Energy and telecommunications
Chapter 16. Development management standards
Chapter 17. Implementation
Associated Documents
Record of Protected Structures for the SEDP area
Variation no. 1 – Eastern Bridge and Associated Roads Scheme
On the 9th of May 2011, Sligo Borough Council made a variation of the Sligo and Environs Development Plan 2010-2016 in accordance with Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The Variation became operational on the 10th of May 2012.
Variation No. 1 of the SEDP consists of the following:
- In Section 10.2 Strategic road proposals, under the heading Strategic roads objectives, include the following objective:
T1.3 Eastern Bridge scheme (E2) as approved by An Bord Pleanála, crossing the Garavogue River from Cleaveragh Demesne to Rathquarter, continuing north and turning west to connect with Ash Lane at Ballinode neighbourhood centre. - On Map 2 Transport Objectives and on the corresponding Figure 10 in the SEDP document, indicate the strategic road objective T1.3.
Reason for the Variation:
To facilitate the regeneration and further development of the eastern areas of Sligo City through the provision of a new north-south strategic transport corridor crossing the Garavogue River.
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment
Variation No. 1 of the SEDP is accompanied by:
Public Consultation
The Proposed Variation, Addendum IV of the Environmental Report and AA Screening Report were available for inspection from Wednesday 9 March 2011 to Tuesday 5 April 2011.
A total of 787 submissions were received during this period. The issues raised in submissions and the Manager’s response to these issues are contained in the Manager’s Report on submissions relating to the proposed Eastern Bridge Variation.
Variation no. 2 – Core Strategy
On 5 September and 3 October 2011 respectively, Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council made a variation of the Sligo and Environs Development Plan 2010-2016 in accordance with Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The variation became operational on 4 October 2011.
Variation No. 2 of the SEDP consists of the following:
Reason for the Variation
Under Section 7 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, each Planning Authority is required to introduce a Core Strategy as part of its development plan. The purpose of the Core Strategy is to articulate a medium- to longer-term quantitatively-based strategy for the spatial development of the area of the planning authority.
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment
Variation No. 2 of the SEDP is accompanied by:
Public Consultation
The proposed variation, explanatory documents and supporting reports were available for inspection from 13 July 2011 to 9 August 2011.
A total of 11 submissions were received during this period. The issues raised in submissions and the Manager’s response to these issues are contained in the Manager’s Report on submissions relating to the proposed Core Strategy Variation.