Action demanded over vehicles and waste 'strewn along roadside' in Leitrim village

Issues relating to commercial activity in Cloone were highlighted at Monday's meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District.

Cllr Ita Reynolds Flynn (FG) submitted a motion calling on the Building Enforcement Section of the council to review “the current commercial activity at a former garage and vehicle service premises along the Mohill road, Cloone, opposite Cloone GAA park.”

“This is a busy road and the current commercial activity along this area has left the environs in a very poor condition with vehicles and other waste strewn all along the roadside. It is imperative action is taken and ensure no unauthorised development is taking place there,” the motion continued.

Speaking on her motion, Cllr Reynolds Flynn stated that, “the GAA grounds are being used for parking and it is unsightly.”

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The motion was supported by Cllr McGloin (FG). “It is unsightly and enforcement action is needed,” he stated.

Responding on behalf of the council, Senior Planner Bernard Greene said, “it is not today or yesterday that this became a problem. The council has served an enforcement notice already. Since 2009, the site has been tidied up. In relation to the parking in the GAA grounds, the council can't stop that.”

The written reply from the council on the motion stated, “The Planning Department is liaising with the Council's Environment Department and with its partners at Inland Fisheries Ireland in respect at the activities at Cloone.

“The matter of vehicles or other matters along the regional roadside would be considered a matter for the Local Authority to pursue under the Roads Act or Litter Act,” the reply continued.