Council to decide on development scheme adoption

A decision by members of Clare County Council on whether to adopt the draft Development Contribution Scheme 2011 to 2017 has been deferred after disagreement over the contents the of document.

Planning authorities are required to draw up a development contribution scheme in respect of public infrastructure and facilities provided by, or on behalf of, the local authority that benefit development in the area.
Councillor Martin Conway told Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council that he felt there should be greater discussion on draft scheme because “it is an extremely important document for this council” and that currently “there is, by no means, unanimity”.
The North Clare councillor stressed that Clare County Council must be “competing with our neighbouring counties to attract business”.
Fianna Fáil councillor PJ Kelly agreed that further debate was necessary.
“We are not unanimous in any way. We were not unanimous in drawing up the document because it didn’t put Clare in a competitive position,” he told the meeting.
Councillors will meet again on Monday to discuss the scheme.