Thanks for stopping by. Bet you are a civic-minded soul with an independent streak and a can-do attitude!
What’s this all about? We think we, as in the people of Wexford, can better prepare for the future and make much more of what we have by working together. Better infrastructure, better local economy, better environment and, ultimately, stronger communities. We all have a part to play.
“Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) are local authority committees in city and county councils whose membership includes elected councillors, representatives of business, farming interests, environmental/conservation groups, trade unions and community and voluntary members. It is the task of SPCs to advise and assist the council in the formulation, development and review of policy.”
The most recent meeting of the Wexford Economic & Enterprise SPC (2nd Dec) had a short agenda which included the following:a report from Screen Wexford’s Linda Curtin on that organisation’s exciting developments in recent months (www.screenwexford.com);the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, a national public transport initiative developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) which aims to increase connectivity, particularly for people living outside major cities and towns (www.nationaltransport.ie/connecting-ireland);Reimagining town centres with the aim of making them more vibrant and welcoming;the development of Rosslare Euro-port;Developing the tourist market.
Future-Proof Wexford is about getting County Wexford better prepared to deal with the challenges presented by climate change.
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, an authority on extreme weather, wildfires, and other climate impacts, says that while he is not convinced that climate change is happening faster than anticipated, he is “increasingly convinced that we’ve underestimated the impacts of some of the changes that were … predicted”.
The new Co Wexford Development Plan is due for rubber-stamping in the very near future. If it is the case that scientists may have under-estimated the impact of climate change, what are the chances that the plan is already in need of updating?
FPW is calling on Wexford County Council to establish a multi-disciplinary group, under the chairmanship of a Director of Service, to examine the draft County Development Plan before it is formally ratified. This group should have a meaningful input into ensuring the plan is fit for purpose as regards meeting the challenges which lie ahead.
Update:
Wexford County Council got in touch to say that they are “at the final stages of consultation in our development plan” and that it will be difficult to add to it at this stage. They go on to say that following changes to the draft plan, “each chapter has climate change over arching-objectives (first in the Country to do this) but also includes new innovations in the development management chapter and a drive to be carbon neutral in energy production vs usage in the County in our energy strategy”.
This is, of course, good news. It remains the case, however, that the real work will be in the implementation and enforcement of the policies and measures outlined.
The Council points out that there is still a chance for the public to influence future policy: “At present we are consulting on the Enniscorthy Town Centre Regeneration Framework” and next year “we are now moving to the town plans (local area plans)”.
“Just because you made a good plan, doesn’t mean that’s what’s gonna happen.” Taylor Swift.
The 2021-2027 draft County Wexford Development Plan has already been adopted by councillors but, following a decision by Minister Darragh O’Brien giving local authorities a 12 month extension before ratification, it is not yet officially in place.
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‘The High Performance Building Alliance (HPBA) is a centre of excellence dedicated to reducing the effects of climate change by improving the built environment.” It is based in Enniscorthy and is supported by Wexford County Council and the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board.
Continue readingAn application for a high-rise 1614 unit 100% build-to-rent development of apartments in Drumcondra, Dublin has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Housing Development process.
Continue readingFPW has been quiet of late. This is as good a time as any to quietly rekindle the flame. When it comes to subject matter we are spoilt for choice. And somehow it feels like everything is linked – climate change, politics, geo-politics, natural resources constraints, mass migration, global wealth disparities, barely-coping national health and social care systems, confused economic policies and financial profligacy. And plagues. It feels like the planet is at an existential crossroads, one with major traffic congestion! We are blessed to live in such interesting times.
Interesting article in last weekend’s Irish Times about Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis and how to tackle it.
Some points from this article (No quick fixes: 8 ways to solve Ireland’s housing crisis) + another (“Big Ideas to build on now”) with views of various stakeholders:
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Wexford County County Council is involved with a good number of exciting developments around the county. While work on all has, to a greater or lesser degree, been impacted by the pandemic, the combined effort will add up to arguably the largest county-wide infrastructural development ever by WCC.
Continue readingThe Draft County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 can be viewed online here: https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/…/draft-wexford-county.
The Draft Plan is accompanied by an Environmental Report on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the Draft Plan, prepared by the Planning Authority in accordance with the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (as amended). A Natura Impact Report pursuant to Part XAB of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and in accordance with Article 6 of the Habitats Directive was also prepared.
Wexford County Council invites written submissions and observations on the Draft Plan and associated Environmental Report and Natura Impact Report. Written submissions and observations in relation to the Draft Plan received by the Planning Authority during the period of Monday, 28th September 2020 to 4pm on Wednesday, 9th December 2020 will be taken into consideration before the making of the Plan.
Future-Proof Wexford 