Notice of proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 to Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027
Pursuant to Section 13(6) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), that the 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.
The purpose of the Proposed Variation is to:
- 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 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.
A copy of the proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1, together with:
- 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 for SEA Determination
- Screening Report for the purposes of Appropriate Assessment, 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:
- Online at Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027 | Westmeath County Council
- The Planning Department, Westmeath County Council, Civic Offices, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N during public opening hours.
Making a Written Submission
You are hereby invited to make a submission or observation in respect of the proposed Material Alterations, and associated environmental documentation, from 11 November until 5.00pm on 9 December 2025.
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.
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.
All submissions received 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:
or
- 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
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.