Mullingar Settlement Area Plan

Westmeath County Council have launched the public consultation of the 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.

Reason:

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.

Amendment No. 1

Draft Mullingar Settlement Area Plan

The Draft Mullingar Settlement Area Plan sets out a comprehensive strategy to guide the proper planning and sustainable development of Mullingar. It establishes a broad land use framework to inform decisions on the most appropriate locations for future development, including housing, transportation, employment, heritage, recreation and sport and community and social infrastructure. The Plan aims to protect what makes Mullingar unique, while also creating new opportunities for the town to thrive. To view the Draft Mullingar Settlement Plan 2025-2031, click here.

The ‘Draft Mullingar Settlement Area Plan’ Viewers (below) offer an interactive look at key elements of the Plan, including Land Use Zoning, Spatial, Flood Risk and Transportation Map Based Local Objectives and Built Heritage. We encourage residents, community groups, organisations and all interested parties to explore the Viewer and gain a better understanding of what is being proposed. Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping the future of Mullingar.

Zoning Viewer

Flood Risk Viewer

Built Heritage Viewer

Amendment No. 2

Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2024)

The Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2024) set national planning policy and guidance in relation to the planning and development of compact urban and rural settlements, with a focus on sustainable residential development. The Guidelines provide a focus on the renewal of existing settlements, and on the interaction between residential density, housing standards, quality urban design and place-making to support sustainable and compact growth. To view Amendment No. 2, click here. 

Display of the Proposed Variation

A copy of the Proposed Variation, together with:

• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report, prepared in accordance with the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC) and pursuant to the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (S.I No. 436 of 2004) (as amended); and
• Appropriate Assessment (AA) Natura Impact Report, pursuant to the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)

will be on public display and may be inspected from Tuesday 8^th July 2025 to Wednesday 13^th August 2025 inclusive (excluding public holidays) at the following locations:

• Online at https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/
• 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 Variation and  associated SEA Environmental Report and Natura Impact Report (which includes information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the Variation) during the public display period. Any submission or observation may be made from 8^th July until 5.00pm on the 13^th August 2025 and will be taken into consideration before the making of the Proposed Variation. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Submissions or observations should be in ONE medium only, i.e. online or hard copy, and made as follows:

• Online at https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/ using the 'Make a Submission' button

or

• In writing to: ‘Draft Variation No. 1 CDP 2021-2027’, 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.

Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are entitled to make submissions or observations.

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 (GDPR), 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 Wednesday 13^th August 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 and the report will be submitted to the Elected Members of Westmeath County Council for their consideration.

We look forward to hearing from you!