The aim of the Ballina Marina Action Group is...
“To preserve existing marina facilities and influence future development to meet the needs of the community”
Lacking a definition for the phrase “master plan” on the NTCC website a definition found is
“A comprehensive plan that describes and maps the overall development concept for an area or precinct, including present and future land use, detailed urban design and landscaping, built form, infrastructure and service provision.”
In accordance with this definition we would like to see a comprehensive plan submitted to the council by any proposed developer of the marina site, that describes and maps the overall development concept for the marina, including present and future land use, detailed urban design and landscaping, showing planned infrastructure and service provision and how it will interact with the existing town infrastructure and services and how the master plan will integrate with the settlement plan for Ballina town itself.
Prior to the council adopting this master plan we would like to see period of public consultation, as was the case for the Shannon Bridge Crossing, the Heritage Plan 2004-2008, Ballina Town Settlement Plan and the Cullenagh Master Plan.
This site is a major amenity and asset to the towns of Ballina and Heritage town of Killaloe, adjoining a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) and adjacent to a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA) and the site is located within the Lough Derg/ River Shannon High Amenity Area and deserves special attention and due diligence where such a development has the potential to dramatically affect the local community.
We would like to see the services or facilities at the marina being managed and maintained into the future as would be expected of such an amenity, without any further loss of such. We would also like to see services or facilities withdrawn or downgraded to date restored. Additionally we would like to see the marina berthing remaining available to the general boating community and not being sold of with private apartments.
Individual concerns such as views, light, being overlooked, noise, etc are not being pursued by the Ballina Marina Action Group. The correct forum for these concerns would be through your residents association or on a private basis after an application for planning permission has been made by the developers.
Key Sections from Ballina Settlement Plan and Western Area Plan
Ballina settlement Plan
It is the policy of the Council to require the preparation of master plans for designated parcels of land within the Western Area. The designated master plan areas, as identified in zoning maps, will require the preparation of master plans in advance of making a planning application. The master plans shall be prepared in accordance with development briefs as set out in settlement plans to be prepared as part of the LAP:
Ballina
Master Plan 1: Cullenagh Estate and O’Brien’s Land;
Master Plan 2: McKeogh lands east of Main St. and south of Grange Road;
Master Plan 3: McKeogh lands north of Derg Road and south of Quarry Lane.
Master Plan 4: Marina
Master Plan 5: Lands to the south of Grange Road.
Policy TOUR 1: Tourism around Lough Derg.
It is the policy of the Council to support the development and improvement of activities and infrastructure supporting water and marine based activities as well as shore side activities, including jetties and marinas provided that such development accords with policies TOUR 3 4,6 and 7 as outlined in this Plan.
Policy TOUR 2: Public Rights of Way
It is the policy of the Council to preserve and protect existing rights of way and create new rights-of-way in the interest of amenity as opportunity or need arises.
Policy TOUR 6: Location of Tourist Facilities
It is the policy of the Council to ensure that new tourist facilities, including sport and recreation facilities, are located in existing settlement centres where they can be supported by, and provide support for, existing services.
Policy ENV 7:
It is the policy of the Council to maintain the conservation value of the Special Areas of Conservation SACs, candidate Special Areas of Conservation cSACs, Natural Heritage Areas NHAs, proposed Natural Heritage Areas pNHAs and Special Protection Areas SPAs, proposed for designation by the DOEHLG, either before or during the lifetime of the plan.
Policy ENV 8 Protection of Areas of Nature Conservation
It is the policy of the Council in Areas of Nature Conservation that proposals for development will only be permitted where it can be clearly demonstrated there is no direct or indirect adverse affect on:
(i) areas designated as sites or candidate or potential sites of national or international importance for wildlife; and
(ii) protected species and their habitats; and
(iii) features of major importance to wild flora and fauna; and
(iv) important features of geological or geomorphologial importance; and
(v) local biodiversity or recognised wildlife corridors.