HAVE YOUR SAY! ON THE DRAFT BLESSINGTON LOCAL AREA PLAN 2025
Wicklow County Council has prepared a draft Blessington Local Area Plan 2025, which is currently on display for public consultation. The purpose of this plan is to establish a land use framework that will guide the future sustainable development of the Blessington area. This plan, in conjunction with the County Development Plan, will inform and manage the future development of the area.
The draft Blessington Local Area Plan 2025 is accompanied by various maps, environmental reports, appendices and Variation No. 3 to the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028. All these documents are available for viewing at the following locations during normal opening hours until Wednesday 11th December 2024:
- Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Station Road, Wicklow Town.
- WCC Civic Offices, Blessington Business Park, Blessington, Co. Wicklow.
- Blessington Library.
- Copies of the plan can also be downloaded and viewed on the Council’s website www.wicklow.ie through an online consultation portal.
Everyone is invited to a drop-in PUBLIC INFORMATION DAY, with the plan team on Thursday 21st November 2024 at the WCC civic offices, Blessington Business Park, Blessington, Co. Wicklow W91 RTV0, from 11am to 1pm and then from 4-7pm. The plan team will be available on the day to answer any questions regarding the draft plan, the planning process and to assist the public in making submissions. Local community and sporting groups are welcome to arrange a one to one meeting between 2-4pm that day. Please call 0404 20148 to schedule a meeting.
Written submissions and observations regarding the draft Local Area Plan and the associated reports are invited from the public and interested parties. Submissions made before midnight on 11th December 2024 will be taken into consideration before the making of the Local Area Plan.
Submissions may be made in one of the following ways:
- Through the online consultation portal
- Write to ‘Blessington LAP’ and/or ‘Variation No. 3’ as relevant, Administrative Officer, Planning Section, Wicklow County Council, Station Road, Wicklow Town, A67 FW96.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Paul O’Brien, said, “The draft Blessington Local Area Plan is a land use plan that sets the framework for future development in the area over the next 6-10 years. A local area plan can shape where a variety of different developments can occur, including the locations for potential new housing, employment, and educational, community and recreational facilities, and sets a framework for the protection of locally important heritage assets such as the Poulaphouca Reservoir and Glen Ding Hill. The publication of the draft plan is an important opportunity for members of the public to make their views known on the future development of their town and I encourage everyone to have their say.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman added, “The preparation of a draft local area plan for Blessington contributes to the achievement of our County Development Plan goals of ‘healthy placemaking’, ‘economic opportunity’ and addressing ‘climate change’. Wicklow County Council is committed to improving the lives of residents of the County and developing the County in a sustainable manner. Public consultation is an important element of the plan making process, and I encourage you all to make a submission to the forward planning team regarding the future development of Blessington.“
Submissions or observations should include your name and, where applicable, details of any organisation, community group, or company you represent. Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are particularly encouraged to make submissions or observations on this matter.