Annual Report 2011.pdf (size 6 MB) - Offaly County Council

Planning permission is required for any development
of land or property unless the development is
exempted development. Development management
ensures that these developments comply with the
statutory provisions in the County Development Plan,
the Planning Acts and the Regulations.
The continued downturn in the economic activity,
particularly in the construction sector, has been
reflected in the number of planning applications
received in 2011. 347 planning applications have been
received in 2011 which compares with 449 for 2010.
The downturn in the planning applications has
afforded the opportunity to the Planning Department
to focus on other areas of activity, such as the
compilation of a derelict sites register, preparation of
action plans for sraids and villages, the taking in
charge of housing estates and a more consistent and
concerted effort in relation to enforcement and
compliance issues.
Guidance on Managing and Resolving Unfinished
Housing Estates was received during 2011 as was
(draft) Guidance on Section 261A, Quarries legislation
Derelict Sites were taken over from the Environment
Section in 2009. There were 6 Derelict Sites files
opened in 2011 and 17 files closed - There were 24
files opened and 36 files closed in 2010 and
consequently at the end of 2011 there were 43 open
files. 9 sites were entered on the Derelict Sites Register in
2011 bringing the total number on the register to 11.
All planning applications have been screened for Appropriate
Assessment since January 2010. This is in order to ascertain
whether the proposed development is likely to have
significant effects on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites.
Strategic Infrastructure
An Bord Pleanala advised that the request for pre-planning
application consultations for the proposed Leinster
International Airport in the Portarlington area have been
withdrawn.
Conservation Grants
The Conservation Grant Scheme was suspended in 2011 and
has been replaced for the present by the Structures at Risk
Fund. Under this scheme, two applications were invited
from each Local Authority for a total nation grant aid of
€650,000. Offaly County Council made 3 applications for
grant aid to the Department, namely
Erry Mill, Clara
Birr Work House
Mount St. Joseph‟s, Roscrea
No funding was received for any of the above-mentioned projects.
Engage with Architecture Project
This project consisted of a month-long exhibition taking
Offaly Local Authorities Annual Report 2011
18