TD seeks rezoning for 36 acres he and his brother own

A FINE GAEL TD is seeking to have 36 acres of land that he and his brother own zoned for the construction of a retirement village outside his home town.

Sligo-North Leitrim TD John Perry said there was no available land in Ballymote, Co Sligo, suitable for the "state of the art" development he is planning but local planning officials do not agree.

At this week's meeting of Sligo County Council, senior planner Frank Moylan told councillors there were 160 acres of available zoned land in Ballymote. Sligo county manager Hubert Kearns also said there was adequate zoned land in the town.

However, Mr Perry, who owns the land with his brother Michael, insisted there was "not an acre of available land" in Ballymote.

Mr Perry, a former chairman of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee, said that as someone who had been in business in Ballymote for 30 years, he believed passionately in the town and wanted to bring investment there. There were only 27 nursing home beds in Ballymote and demand was so high that "they do not even bother keeping a waiting list".

Mr Perry said there was no site in any local town that could facilitate the development he was planning, which would incorporate 62 dwellings suitable for independent senior citizens, a 50-bed nursing home and sheltered apartments for 40 people, as well as a swimming pool, woodland walks and a village centre with a shop, oratory and meeting rooms.

"We are not talking about housing estates or having people living on top of each other. This would enhance the lives of senior citizens."

Members of the council are to vote next month on a motion proposed this week by Fine Gael councillor Pat McGrath urging the council to amend the local area plan for Ballymote to include as an objective the provision of a retirement village on the site.

The motion was deferred without a vote following lengthy discussion when planners voiced their objections, saying the proposed site would be isolated and lack integration.

Independent councillor Declan Bree told the meeting that the Ballymote local area plan had been considered in an open and transparent way before being adopted in 2005. "Everyone here knows that the zoning of land for development increases its value significantly," said Mr Bree.

But Mr Perry said it was "absolutely appalling" a negative slant was being put on this.