John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2004 the Sligo Borough Council embarked on the development of plans for the social, economic and physical regeneration of Cranmore, in Sligo city. From this overall development plan, came a social plan and a physical plan. Both these plans included ideas for economic development. The social plan was adopted September 2007. I am happy to acknowledge that it is now being implemented.

The plan for the social regeneration of Cranmore is an integral part of wider plans for the integrated development of Sligo , and particularly the eastern side of Sligo city. The economic viability of the wider plan has been tested and accepted. Investment in the physical regeneration of Cranmore and a new eastern bridge are integral elements of the plan. The national spatial strategy and plans for the future development of the eastern side of Sligo city include additional road transport links to all the public services and facilities on the eastern side of Sligo, such as the hospital, the Institute of Technology and many of the major employers in Sligo. These road links are important to the overall development of both Sligo town and Sligo county. An eastern bypass for traffic wishing to pass through Sligo is also an important objective of the planning for the region, including travellers to and from Northern Ireland and tourists. It is much needed.

In December 2008 a majority of borough councillors voted to remove the eastern bridge from the plan. We need not enquire into how and why this decision was made. However, the decision was made. This decision has thrown the entire plan for the regeneration of Cranmore and the development of the eastern side of Sligo into confusion. The decision has stalled all practical progress on the regeneration of Cranmore. There is little evidence that the decision to remove the eastern bridge from the development plan for the eastern side of Sligo has brought any benefit to the future for Sligo town and county. There are some voices saying that the decision has damaged the credibility of Sligo as a serious location for future economic development and the gateway status of the region.

I can understand that a small number of people will be upset by the plans for the new eastern bridge. All development brings advantages and disadvantages. The reality on the ground is that Sligo city is built on a narrow bit of land between the sea and Lough Gill. This is the fundamental reason why the town is located where it is. We do not have the luxury of going east or west until we find a crossing point that will be acceptable to everyone and will impact on no one. Nor will the country offer to build a tunnel under Sligo so that the construction of new bridges can be avoided. Geography is a fact of life. There are very few suitable locations for building bridges across the River Garavogue.

I am delighted to see the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, who has responsibility for this matter in the House. During a visit to Sligo last year, the Minister of State made it very clear that if the bridge was not put back on the development plan, the funding for the regeneration would be gone. During the visit, the Minister of State may have indicated that the project investment will come from two different streams of funding and departments. This, in turn, had the unintended consequence of allowing some people to claim that Cranmore regeneration and the eastern bridge are independent projects. This is not true.

Over €100 million of investment funding is at stake here. The various elements of the project have been through the planning process. Everything is formally approved. Almost all the statutory approvals are in place and nearly everything is ready for the project investment to proceed.

The economic and social wellbeing of the eastern side of Sligo city, as well as the county and region, is held back at the moment and access to the services and facilities on the eastern side of Sligo are restricted. With the present restricted transport arrangements, it is too difficult for most of the people of Sligo to get to the Hospital, to the IT campus, to St. Angela's College and to most of the major employers in the town. All these facilities must have good access routes.

This matter is one of those rare occasions where I am speaking in support of the Minister of State and what I believe to be his policy of investing in local infrastructure to the benefit of all the citizens of Sligo. Sligo needs this investment funding. There are thousands unemployed and thousands facing economic hardship. This investment will bring jobs and hope to Sligo town and Sligo county.

I ask the Minister of State to make a clear and categorical statement about the circumstances under which the investment funding for Cranmore regeneration will be released. This investment is needed in Sligo. This investment will bring major benefits to Sligo city and county. Will the Minister confirm that he is now prepared to issue a ministerial order to permit this investment in the development of Sligo to proceed?

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank Deputy Perry for raising this matter and I welcome this opportunity to comment on these issues. I also welcome his support for my position on this matter. I know that to be his position locally in Cranmore and in Sligo. That information is readily available to me from people who are of the same opinion as myself, namely the residents of the Cranmore estate. I acknowledge Deputy Perry's support and the activity he has engaged in with the people of Cranmore regarding this very important matter for the development of Sligo.

I am keenly interested in the regeneration of Cranmore and the development of Sligo as a gateway under the national spatial strategy. I have engaged at every level, with the elected members, the county manager and his officials and community representatives in an effort to advance this project.

The Cranmore regeneration area has a population of over 2,000, of whom over 1,500 are living in the Cranmore estate. The Cranmore estate itself is strategically located relative to the town centre and was built on a phased basis between 1974 and 1992. It is home to approximately 10% of the population of Sligo Borough. In June 2006, the council submitted its draft framework plan for the regeneration of the area and because of Sligo's gateway status the scope and boundaries of the regeneration project were widened to include lands in proximity to Cranmore

Regeneration programmes take a holistic and strategic approach and are aimed at creating sustainable communities by addressing fundamental social and economic considerations - not just bricks and mortar considerations - as well as looking at wider issues such as infrastructure generally, accessibility, tenure mix, social exclusion and anti-social behaviour. To date approximately €14 million has been spent on the project in advance of the masterplan.

Following detailed discussions with my Department, Sligo Borough Council have prepared a detailed brief for the appointment of a multi-disciplinary design team to prepare a masterplan for the regeneration project. The masterplan will cover the whole of the eastern quadrant and I am anxious that it should be mindful of Sligo's gateway status and facilitate the future growth and development of Sligo as envisaged under the national spatial strategy.

However, the development of the masterplan has been delayed following the decision to delete the new eastern bridge and associated access roads from the new Sligo Borough development plan, adopted at the end of 2009. The brief for the masterplan was developed on the basis of the development objectives in the previous plan, which included the bridge-access routes. It is essential that we build effective links between the redevelopment of areas like Cranmore and the surrounding town in terms of access to services, employment and education, social and economic infrastructure. The regeneration of the eastern quadrant cannot be isolated from the development of Sligo and adequate access is an essential prerequisite for this part of Sligo. In terms of the proposed location of the new bridge, there is only very limited scope for considering alternatives because a special area of conservation lies immediately upstream, and contains highly significant alluvial woodland. The existing location was agreed following extensive local consultation and a lengthy oral hearing by An Bord Pleanála.

I have demonstrated my commitment to the regeneration project by allocating €4 million in 2009 and a further €3.5 million in 2010. I have made it clear that the completion of the masterplan is an urgent priority and that further funding is contingent on the adoption of this plan. I visited Sligo after the new development plan was adopted in order to see the area and the proposals at first hand. I met with local representatives and community groups and explored their concerns. My Department has subsequently been available to engage with the council on technical and practical issues. I am very much committed to the project and I encourage the borough council to work with my Department and the local community to progress it for the benefit of Sligo and its residents into the future.

I assure the Deputy I am totally committed to this project. I want to send out a clear message to the people in Cranmore and Sligo, and to the borough council. The development of Cranmore as a regeneration area cannot take place in isolation from access routes on the bridge. Whatever leeway exists regarding the bridge is very limited as the Deputy knows well.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I know that very well.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is also subject to a decision by An Bord Pleanála and an oral hearing. I would say to the borough council it should, in the best interests of the citizens of Cranmore and Sligo, which is now a gateway town, reverse its decision regarding the change in the town development plan. Sligo County Council supports my position and that of my Department on this matter. I understand all the elected Oireachtas Members from Sligo are also in favour of my position.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Agreed.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As someone who had his second level education in Sligo, I know the town extremely well and am very keen that this be developed. The people of Cranmore are crying out for this development. It is estimated that more than €100 million will be invested in the region in developing that bridge and in the regeneration of Cranmore. This is dependent on a decision of the local borough council.

I will not address the matter of ministerial intervention now. I would like local people and their representatives to take this decision but I shall certainly keep it under review.

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State.