Gormley says Athlone tip of "overzoning" iceberg

Minister John Gormley has identified Athlone as a prime example of where overzoning. was rife. Last month, Gormley told the Dáil that there was enough land zoned in Athlone for the next 60 years. However, neither the Department of the Environment nor the Green Party have been able clarify whether this figure relates to land in Athlone Town Council or a combination of Athlone Town Council, Westmeath County Council or Roscommon County Council. He said: "Athlone is the tip of an overzoning iceberg which has contributed massively to the housing and development bubble. Figures collated by my Department show that in the 45 towns and cities designated as developing areas, sufficient land has been zoned to accommodate houses for an additional 1.7 million people. That is a staggering amount of overzoning." Minister Gormley went on to say: "The Green Party will clean up the mess this type of reckless re-zoning behaviour has brought with it and break the cosy councillor-developer cartel once and for all. Through the most radical planning legislation ever, we will rid our council chambers of the wink and elbow language of developers and their puppet councillors." He said while councillors would retain their zoning powers they would have to abide by national and regional guidelines. However, this week Senator Nicky McFadden has lashed out at the Minister for the Environment John Gormley over his comments during a debate on the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009. She said: "I am really upset by the Minister's comment that Athlone is the tip of overzoning iceberg which contributed massively to the housing and development bubble. He also referred to 45 towns and cities around the country. I do not know why he lays the blame fairly and squarely on Athlone when one considers what went on around Dublin and the cosy cartels between bankers and Fianna Fáil in the tent in Galway. These are Deputies with whom the Minister fraternised and with whom he is working in Government. The idea that he would lambast councillors to the extent that he is doing is outrageous." Senator McFadden said Minister Gormley had spoken about the need to have sound development plans in place with proper water schemes, cycle paths, schools and so forth. "While I appreciate this, what about the provision of resources for such services and amenities? There are wonderful hotels and quality housing estates in Athlone but no sewage treatment plant. Raw sewage is still pumped into the River Shannon. The Minister then has the cheek to lecture us about how Athlone councillors have carried on their business. The blame must be laid firmly at the door of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for not providing moneys for water services infrastructural projects," said Senator McFadden. She said the Minister also spoke about the taking in charge of housing estates and while she agreed this was important she asked how councils would fund taking in charge estates. "In Athlone several housing estates require expensive improvements to lighting, water and sewerage schemes, footpaths and roads which would involve a massive cost for the council. How will the local authority find the moneys to put these housing estates right and take them in charge? In an ideal world that would be the right thing to do. Of course we should take them in charge but we need the money. The Minister, however, did not say where that would come from." She also asked if the Minister was ever a councillor, pointing out that he suggested that county managers should report on the development plans and address every single issue. Upon hearing that Minister Gormley had been a councillor, Senator McFadden said: "This must not have been the way in his time or perhaps he was asleep. In our local authority the manager addressed every issue and amendment. The same applied to the local area plans. He would have come back to the council with a report on every issue. Everything, that the Minister aspires to in the Bill, such as recycling and transport, has been included in our development plans. "We went to great lengths sometimes going through the plans for six and seven hours to ensure we were happy with them."