Westmeath County Council have launched the public consultation of the proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 in respect to the following:
To incorporate a Settlement Area Plan for Mullingar under Volume 9 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027.
To integrate the Specific Planning Policy Requirements (SPPRs) from the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2024) into the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027.
The reason for the Proposed Variation is to provide a detailed framework to guide the sustainable growth and development of Mullingar and to ensure that the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027 is fully aligned with the Specific Planning Policy Requirements (SPPRs) set out in the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2024.
Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027
The Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Draft Westmeath Development Plan 2021 – 2027 was placed on public display for a five week period from 8 July 2025 to 13 August 2025. During this public consultation period, a total of 238 no. written submissions were received from residents, interested parties and state / semi-state bodies. In accordance with the requirements of Section 13(4)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), a Chief Executive’s Report was prepared. This report summarised the submissions received on Proposed Variation No. 1 and provided the Chief Executive's response and recommendations to the issues raised.
The Elected Members of Westmeath County Council having considered Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the associated Chief Executive’s Report in accordance with Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) have resolved that the Proposed Variation of the Westmeath County Development Plan be altered. The proposed modifications constitute material alterations of the Draft Variation of the Westmeath County Development Plan.
Accordingly, the Council resolved to place the proposed Material Alterations on public display for a period of not less than 4-weeks, in accordance with Section 13(6) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
The likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the proposed Material Alterations have been assessed. In accordance with Section 13(6) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the proposed Material Alterations have been screened for the need to undertake Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA), and it has been determined that a SEA is required for 2 (no.) proposed Material Alterations and that Stage 2 SEA and full AA is not required for the remaining proposed Material Alterations.
Display of the Proposed Material Alterations
A copy of the proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1, together with:
Screening for SEA Determination
SEA Environmental Report (including Screening Report for SEA and information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing certain proposed Material Alterations that have been subject to SEA) prepared in accordance with the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC) and pursuant to the Planning and Development (SEA) Regulations 2004 (S.I No. 436 of 2004) (as amended), containing an assessment of the proposed Material Alterations
Screening Report for the purposes of AA, prepared in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), containing an assessment of the Proposed Material Alterations
Screening for AA Determination
will be on public display and may be inspected from 11 November 2025 to 9 December 2025 inclusive (excluding public holidays) at the following locations:
The Planning Department, Westmeath County Council, Civic Offices, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N during public opening hours.
Have your say on the Proposed Variation!
Westmeath County Council welcomes interested parties or individuals to make written or electronic (online) submissions or observations in respect of the proposed Material Alterations, and associated environmental documentation, during the public display period. Any submission or observation may be made from 11 November until 5.00pm on 9 December 2025 and will be taken into consideration before the making of the Proposed Variation. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Only submissions or observations with respect to the proposed Material Alterations and associated environmental documentation, including SEA Screening Determination, SEA Environmental Report, AA Screening Report and AA Screening Determination, may be taken into consideration. Therefore, submissions or observations in relation to any other aspect of Proposed Variation No. 1 cannot be considered at this stage of the process.
Submissions or observations should be in ONE medium only, i.e. online or hard copy, and made as follows:
In writing to: ‘Proposed Material Alterations: Draft Variation No. 1’, Administrative Officer, Forward Planning, Westmeath County Council, Civic Offices, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N
All submissions or observations MUST include the full name and address of the person(s) making the submission or observation, and where relevant, the body or organisation represented.
The following guidance has been developed to help interested parties effectively engage with and maximise their participation in the consultation process:
In order to assist us with complying with General Data Protection Regulations, please include your name and contact details on a separate sheet to the content of your submission or observation.
Submissions or observations should include a map if it refers to particular locations or features.
Submissions or observations should be clear and concise. If there is a need to make a lengthy submission, please attach an executive summary to it.
Submissions or observations should preferably be in typed format in the interests of legibility.
Written or electronic (online) submissions or observations must be received no later than 5.00pm on 9 December 2025.
Please note that submissions or observations will be made public on the Council’s website and at the offices of Westmeath County Council and will also form part of the statutory Chief Executive’s Report to be presented to the full Council.
What’s next?
Once this public consultation stage is finished, a report will be prepared summarising the written submissions and observations received on the material alterations to Variation No 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the report will be submitted to the Elected Members of Westmeath County Council for their consideration.
Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027
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Mullingar Settlement Area Plan
Westmeath County Council have launched the public consultation of the proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 in respect to the following:
The reason for the Proposed Variation is to provide a detailed framework to guide the sustainable growth and development of Mullingar and to ensure that the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027 is fully aligned with the Specific Planning Policy Requirements (SPPRs) set out in the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2024.
Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027
The Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Draft Westmeath Development Plan 2021 – 2027 was placed on public display for a five week period from 8 July 2025 to 13 August 2025. During this public consultation period, a total of 238 no. written submissions were received from residents, interested parties and state / semi-state bodies. In accordance with the requirements of Section 13(4)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), a Chief Executive’s Report was prepared. This report summarised the submissions received on Proposed Variation No. 1 and provided the Chief Executive's response and recommendations to the issues raised.
The Elected Members of Westmeath County Council having considered Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the associated Chief Executive’s Report in accordance with Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) have resolved that the Proposed Variation of the Westmeath County Development Plan be altered. The proposed modifications constitute material alterations of the Draft Variation of the Westmeath County Development Plan.
Accordingly, the Council resolved to place the proposed Material Alterations on public display for a period of not less than 4-weeks, in accordance with Section 13(6) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
The likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the proposed Material Alterations have been assessed. In accordance with Section 13(6) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the proposed Material Alterations have been screened for the need to undertake Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA), and it has been determined that a SEA is required for 2 (no.) proposed Material Alterations and that Stage 2 SEA and full AA is not required for the remaining proposed Material Alterations.
Display of the Proposed Material Alterations
A copy of the proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1, together with:
will be on public display and may be inspected from 11 November 2025 to 9 December 2025 inclusive (excluding public holidays) at the following locations:
Have your say on the Proposed Variation!
Westmeath County Council welcomes interested parties or individuals to make written or electronic (online) submissions or observations in respect of the proposed Material Alterations, and associated environmental documentation, during the public display period. Any submission or observation may be made from 11 November until 5.00pm on 9 December 2025 and will be taken into consideration before the making of the Proposed Variation. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Only submissions or observations with respect to the proposed Material Alterations and associated environmental documentation, including SEA Screening Determination, SEA Environmental Report, AA Screening Report and AA Screening Determination, may be taken into consideration. Therefore, submissions or observations in relation to any other aspect of Proposed Variation No. 1 cannot be considered at this stage of the process.
Submissions or observations should be in ONE medium only, i.e. online or hard copy, and made as follows:
Or
All submissions or observations MUST include the full name and address of the person(s) making the submission or observation, and where relevant, the body or organisation represented.
The following guidance has been developed to help interested parties effectively engage with and maximise their participation in the consultation process:
Written or electronic (online) submissions or observations must be received no later than 5.00pm on 9 December 2025.
Please note that submissions or observations will be made public on the Council’s website and at the offices of Westmeath County Council and will also form part of the statutory Chief Executive’s Report to be presented to the full Council.
What’s next?
Once this public consultation stage is finished, a report will be prepared summarising the written submissions and observations received on the material alterations to Variation No 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and the report will be submitted to the Elected Members of Westmeath County Council for their consideration.
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