Roscommon County Council has indicated that it will try and take a new approach to zoning for key projects in towns in the next decade.
Director of Services Martin Lydon told a special meeting of the local authority that there needs to be more planning flexibility in towns.
Roscommon Councillors got to express their opinions on the new County Development plan which will guide the future of Roscommon between 2021 and 2027 at a special meeting of the local authority this week..
The Chief Executive's report on the draft plan supports proposals for Athlone to be developed as a designated regional centre and making Roscommon the 'key town' within the county.
Director of Services Martin Lydon outlined that the local authority would look to develop "clear and concise" town plans as well as Local Area Plans for Roscommon and Boyle.
The Finance director also told councillors that the executive would seek a new approach to zoning land which he claimed would bring flexibility to towns.
He claimed that the Council needed to change the way it went about designating land and to help the council avoid what he said was the "mire" of material contraventions when they get good plans but their hands are tied by planning rules.
Cathaoirleach of the Council Laurence Fallon encouraged his fellow members to support all efforts in progressing Athlone's status as the designated centre - but admitted the uncertainty of the Covid pandemic meant any plans would be dependent on future events and funding.
