< Previous© November 2020 The Meath Coaster 10 Council Update by Cllr Stephen McKee Proposed New Develop- ment At Colpe A t our October Council meeting, we were pre- sented with a planning pro- posal by Shannon Homes for the development of 357 new homes on lands between Grange Rath and the Mill Road. This application is classed as a Strategic Housing Devel- opment so it has gone straight to An Bord Pleanála for decision. It is due to be de- cided by January 06 th 2021. The development has the potential to take a lot of traffic off the Mill Road due to a link road being part of the overall pro- posal which would be very welcome. The proposal also includes the provision of footpaths and cycle ways to Grange Rath and upgrades to the Colpe Road. I have been lobbying hard for safe footpaths and cycle lanes from Southgate down to Donacarney so this would be a positive step in the right direction for road safety in the area. I have highlighted some issues how- ever including; concern locally re- garding the capacity of local schools to meet the needs of additional fam- ilies in the area; the need to further improve public transport in the lo- cality and the inclusion of a pedes- trian walkway and bridge over the railway line into Grange Rath which I am opposing on behalf of local residents. I am also actively working to ensure resi- dents of Mill Road can link into any new sewerage scheme if they so wish. I have also emphasised the need that the provision of a playground be included as part of any planning conditions, as a playground is badly needed in the South Drogheda/Colpe area. A safe pedestrian and cycle link to the proposed Boyne Greenway to facilitate all residents in the Colpe/Dublin Road area should also be included in the plans. We need to support the creation of sustainable communities in the area with the development of resi- dential lands going hand-in-hand with the provision of high-quality social and phys- ical infrastructure. This development proposal highlights the need for the Joint Urban Area Plan for South Drogheda/East Meath to be put in place as soon as possible to ensure that we have a coherent strategy to maximise the potential of the area and to promote co- ordination between both Louth and Meath County Councils. I continue to highlight the importance of a joined-up strategy for the benefit of residents. Proposed New Library & Community Building For Bettystown Public Consultation has now closed on the Cllr Stephen McKee at the launch of the new road and Business Park at the top of the Mill Road which will see hundreds of new local jobs created over the next few years. 'We need to create opportunities for as many people as possible to live and work locally' says McKee. Photo was taken prior to Covid restrictions© November 2020 The Meath Coaster 11 proposed new seafront Library & Com- munity Building in Bettystown. The fa- cility is proposed to open in 2022. A final decision will soon be made. If approved, the 700 square metre Library will include a community meeting room, public library areas, meetings rooms, study and multi-purpose rooms, a lifeguard sta- tion and public toilets. The facility will also have disability changing space and will accommodate beach wheelchairs with ramp access onto the beach. The building is planned to accommodate local civic, community and cultural events and will be a very important addition to the area. As part of it, I have proposed that a busi- ness hub be included in the plans for the building. The new facility has the poten- tial to not only be a place for community use but also as a base for local people in business who wish to avail of broadband, meet like-minded individuals and share ideas and support one another. I have al- ready raised this point at Council level. With more and more people able and wishing to work from home, we need to do all we can to provide opportunities for local people to work locally. I would like to see space provided to start-ups and lo- cal SME's to help such businesses start, scale and expand. There is opportunity to do something very creative with the new building. I am also aware of some issues that local people have raised with me, including car parking and I have raised those concerns also in my own submission. Feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss any as- pect of the project. Parking On Bettystown Beach Meath County Council have confirmed to me that the issue of beach parking will be discussed at the next full Council meeting in November. My own view is that although it has been fantastic to be able to enjoy a car-free beach over the last 6 months or so, the Council ban on parking on Bettystown beach is flawed as suitable alternative parking is not currently in place. This was a pre-requisite as agreed in the Beach Management Plan adopted by Meath County Council. I recently highlighted at our Area Coun- cil meeting that the proposed arrangement for parking at Coláiste na hInse would not work due to its distance from the beach and the inconvenience, particularly for families with young children with buggies etc, and also for the elderly and those with disabili- ties. This has proven to be the case. Unfortunately, cars have continued to line both sides of the road up the Golf Links round and in and around Bettystown Square on busy beach days creating a serious road safety issue and a great nui- sance for local residents. Signage is poor and both senior citizens and those with special needs and disabilities are not be- ing properly looked after. There are simi- lar parking problems up at The Crook, Mornington. The situation is not sustaina- ble and needs to be sorted well in advance of next Summer. To resolve the issues to the satisfaction of all, I have proposed the following to Meath County Council: 1. That the Council retain a section of Continued over....© November 2020 The Meath Coaster 12 the beach to the right on entering Bettystown beach at Seaview for age friendly and special needs parking. I fully support the availability of age friendly and special needs parking on the beach. 2. That the Council develop the strip of land between the barber’s shop and the Convent on the Golf Links Road as the best possible site for beach-front park- ing onto Bettystown beach giving resi- dents direct access from their cars to the sand. I have suggested that this area could also be used for parking for the new Library. The footpath already there would make it easily accessible. I have also asked the Council to install board- walks and public lighting to help solve at the same time the ongoing littering and anti-social behaviour problems at this location. Boyne Greenway Meath County Council submitted their plan for the new Boyne Greenway pe- destrian and cycle way from Drogheda – Mornington to An Bord Pleanala. A final decision is due by January 25 th 2021. I fully support the project and the poten- tial it has as an important local recrea- tional and tourist route. It is important too that the project commands the support of those who live along its route and who will be directly impacted by it. In my own submission, I have raised concerns on behalf of residents along Tower Road & Mornington Court about them losing parts of their front gardens and boundary walls amongst other issues and I have asked that changes be made to the plans accordingly. Road Safety On The Garra Road / Col- pe Road Following another accident on the Garra Road between Donacarney and Mornington, I have asked Meath County Council to urgently review the speed limit all along the road and to put in place ad- ditional road safety signage as necessary. I have also asked that road safety be priori- tised on the Colpe Road as it is currently extremely dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists going to and from local schools. I expect action to be taken on both roads. Solar Farm Proposal For East Meath I recently lodged an objection to the vast new solar farm proposal for the Piltown/ Julianstown area on behalf of many local residents who are very concerned about the impact this development would have on their quality of life. I was the only local Public Representative to make a submis- sion on this significant application. I recognise the importance of develop- ing sustainable and renewable energy schemes in Ireland into the future to meet our international commitments and to en- sure a sustainable environment for future generations. Nevertheless, I believe that the site in question is neither suitable nor appropriate for a large-scale industrial- type development. A decision is due im- minently on the application. Further Information You can call, text or WhatsApp me direct- ly on 086 0432760 or should you prefer, email me at stephenmckeeff@gmail.com or through Facebook at Cllr Stephen Mc- Kee. I am able to provide all State docu- ments/applications via email and What- sApp. Take care and stay safe, Stephen.© November 2020 The Meath Coaster 13 TAXI & MINI-BUS SERVICE SERVICING LAYTOWN, BETTYSTOWN, DONACARNEY, MORNINGTON, GRANGE RATH & DROGHEDA WHEELCHAIR AND LUXURY CORPORATE VEHICLES ALSO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST TRAIN AND BUS STATIONS • DUBLIN AIRPORT (24 HOURS) HOSPITALS & ALL APPOINTMENTS All Drivers and Vehicles are Covid-19 Compliant 041 98 444 98 041 98 111 98 086 838 4444 www.eastcoastcabs.ie LEINSTER GLASS SYSTEMS Drogheda leinsterglasssystems@gmail.com Phone 0879967334 Glass Stairs /Patio Systems/Table Tops/Covid Glass Screens Reinvigorate Your Home With A Modern Stair System To Create A Seamless And Vibrant Space Prices From €950 Incl VAT Find Us On FacebookWORKING FOR YOU - AG OBAIR DUITSE Stay safe & help prevent the spread of the coronavirusLouth & East Meath T.D. Imelda MUNSTER Contact Details: Tel: 041 987 3823 Email: imelda.munster@oireachtas.ie© November 2020 The Meath Coaster 16 Halloween fun in Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh W e had a lovely non uni- form day in Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh on the last day of the term. The pupils and Staff dressed up in their Halloween costumes creating a lovely atmosphere and a celebratory mood. The Parents Association facilitated a fundrais- ing event from the non-uniform day to raise some funds for our continued Digital Technology initiative. The school has transitioned to the G-Suite Domain to include Google Classroom. The Staff have embarked on an extensive journey of training in Google Classroom and the pupils love using the Chrome- books to further enhance their learning. We appreciate the ongoing support of the wider School Community in regard to the full implementation of all the new proto- cols and measures in our school. Halloween fun in Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh We continue to prioritise the Health & Safety along with the Well Being of all our Pupils & Staff. . § 4th Team enjoy Halloween© November 2020 The Meath Coaster 17 Pupils enjoy Halloween fun 6th class Team © November 2020 The Meath Coaster 18 Bettystown Tidy Towns (BTT) I t is not just the changing seasons but also the latest restrictions which are guiding the work that Bettystown Tidy Towns has planned. We will continue to work during the lockdown, but will be maintaining a social distance and working separately. Eastham, Narroways and Piltown Road A special mention this month to our vol- unteers Tony, TJ, Simone and Derek who litterpick the Eastham Road, Narroways and Piltown Road on Tuesday mornings. The first clean up resulted in six bags of rubbish but litter in the area has much im- proved thanks to their time and effort. In October, BTT focussed one Saturday meet-up on the Narroways. It was a great community effort between BTT volun- teers and local residents working together to clear paths, cut grass and hedges and lit- ter pick. Since then Meath County Coun- cil ground crew have responded to our call out to trim back the hedges and cut grass along the ditch. This will make future lit- terpicks much easier. Now that the verges have been cleared we’ve been out planting daffodil bulbs to further enhance the area. The wall on the Narroways Road at the roundabout got a fresh coat of paint thanks to our community workers Gerard and Mohamed who are working with us through the TUS and CE schemes. They will be a great help to BTT in keeping the village streets and approach roads clean and welcoming. Funding Our thanks to Council- lors Tom Behan, Elaine McGinty and Sharon Tolan for their con- tributions to us from their Council Discre- tionary Funds. Unfortunately, no response has yet been received from the remaining four Councillors. We will use these funds to support our maintenance and enhance- ment works around the town. Town and Village Renewal Scheme The Department of Rural and Community Development has awarded BTT €40,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for COVID-19 adaptions. The grant has been awarded to create a safe public walkway to Bettystown/Laytown/ Mornington beach and landscaping the entrance to the towns. It will be used for the enhancement of an existing public path onto the beach to make it accessible for people who are mobility impaired. The grant will also be used to widen footpaths and carry out landscaping near the Triton Road roundabout. Christmas Due to the COVID-19 pan- demic, unfortunately it is not possible for us to put on a Christmas event this year. But Santa has asked if we can put up a Christmas tree and lights in the village and we won’t let him down. §© November 2020 The Meath Coaster 19 CALL 01 8417618 089 2364236 NEW LOCAL TAXI AND MINIBUS SERVICE FOR THE STAMULLEN, GORMANSTON, JULIANSTOWN AREA WHEELCHAIR TAXI AVAILABLE TRAIN AND BUS STATIONS DUBLIN AIRPORT (24 HRS) HOSPITALS & ALL APPOINTMENTS www.stamullencabs.ie All Drivers and Vehicles are Covid-19 Compliant NEW • NEW • NEW • NEW • NEW • NEW • NEW • NEW Next >