Councillors Overrule CEO on Carrickmacross and Castleblayney Housing Land

Monaghan county councillors have voted to zone extra housing land in Carrickmacross and Castleblayney against the recommendation of Chief Executive Robert Burns. Both decisions will now be referred to the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR), the Anglo-Celt reported on Friday, 16 October.

At the same October meeting, members formally adopted the revised Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. It now has an 84% increase in the land in the county with a housing zoning, in line with a Government directive issued to local authorities in July 2025.

The two sites

Magheross, Carrickmacross (4.321 hectares): Cllr P.J. O'Hanlon (FF) proposed changing the land from industry, enterprise and employment zoning to residential. He said the site is within walking distance of the town centre, and that the supply of these housing types in Carrickmacross is not enough to meet demand. He said the change would facilitate a company that has been building houses in the town for the last half a century. Cllr Peter Conlon (FG) seconded, and all councillors present voted in favour.

Corracloghan, Castleblayney (1.278 hectares): Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Campbell (FG) moved a change to the residential zoning of the land. He said it would allow low-density housing "in a structured and co-ordinated manner" in keeping with the pattern of development in the area. Cllr Paul Gibbons (SF) seconded, noting the proposal had already been approved by the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District. All members present voted in favour.

In line with conflict of interest rules, Cllrs Noel Keelan (SF) and Alan Johnston (FG) left the meeting while the proposed variations were discussed, the Anglo-Celt reported.

"Fastest-growing town in the north east"

"Carrickmacross is the fastest-growing town in the north east," Cllr O'Hanlon told the meeting, "with a 15% population increase last year and a similar rate of growth predicted for this year." He said around 100 private houses are being built in the area each year, but the town needs safeguards against a housing shortage. "We need private and social housing in Carrickmacross and I am putting this forward because of the demand," he said.

Cllr Colm Carthy (SF) said the change had already been agreed unanimously at municipal district level. "I know this goes against the advice of the executive," he said, "but it is for the benefit of the south Monaghan area and that is a no-brainer for the elected representatives."

What happens next

Senior Planner Adrian Hughes told councillors the OPR must be informed of the two variations. It is then up to the Regulator whether to go to the Minister to seek an intervention.

He said the rest of the revised plan takes effect immediately and will speed up housing delivery in the county. Cllr Sean Gilliland (FG) proposed its adoption, Cllr Pat Treanor (SF) seconded, and it was approved unanimously.

Earlier this year the council put Proposed Variation No. 2 to the plan out to public consultation, from 14 May to 11 June 2026, to bring it into line with the Government's 2025 housing growth guidelines under the revised National Planning Framework. It proposed changes to land use zonings in Monaghan town, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones and Ballybay. The council's consultation portal lists 29 submissions.

The vote comes as the council pushes ahead with new homes elsewhere. It recently opened 51 social homes at Slí Lorcáin in Monaghan town, and is seeking a CPO on the half-built Clós na Dromainne block, also in Magheross.