Calls for planning ban until water supply sorted

The Rochfortbridge Development Group has expressed its opposition to an application for ten new houses to Westmeath County Council on the basis that the water supply in the town is less than adequate.Arjay Construction Ltd. applied for permission to construct a ten house development on the Dublin Road, east of Derrygreenagh Park in Rochfortbridge on April 20, but according to PRO for the RDG and local election candidate Colm Arthur, the group is objecting to the proposed development on the grounds that the quality and supply of the water in the town is under threat.According to Mr. Arthur, the RDG met with representatives of Westmeath County Council last October to discuss the water supply in the village, where they were assured that the water services division would be informing planners that the Kilbeggan district could not cope with any more houses.'It was also promised that any spare capacity in our water supply be retained for any industrial developments where sustainable jobs can be created,' said Mr. Arthur.'The group are hopeful that Westmeath County Council will honour the promises they made last October regarding the water supply to the village,' he continued.'In the application there is clear recognition from Westmeath County Council that there are problems with the water supply to the village,' said Mr. Arthur.'The residents of the village have been pointing this out for the last number of years,' he continued, 'And with over two hundred houses at present granted for planning in the village, it is reasonable to hope that the Council will refuse this application.'Mr. Arthur went on to say that Arjay Construction is proposing to construct some description of a water storage tower to overcome the problem, but he hopes the local planner will refuse this application.'Our group will be objecting to this application to protect the quality and supply of water to our village,' concluded Mr. Arthur.The Arjay Construction application consists of three 3-bed town houses in one block located at the rear of the site, another three 3-bed town houses in one block located at the front of the site, and four 3-bed semi detached dwellings located at the rear and centre of the site.Permission has also been sought for a new entrance to the development, associated parking, landscaping works, the demolition of the existing dwelling on site, and all ancillary site works.A decision is due on the application from Westmeath County Council on June 14 next.Tom Morgan faces mountain challengeWith no less than 100 marathons to his name, Tom Morgan will face one of his hardest challenges yet when he will participate in the Ballyvaughan Mountain Challenge on Saturday, May 23.Since completing his one hundred marathon six months ago, Tom has slowed things down slightly, running in short races around Ireland to raise funds for Breast Cancer and the Mullingar Stroke Unit.He also finished second in his category in the Raheney 5 mile challenge, as well as in the Bupa 10k run in the Phoenix Park in April.But his next big race will be in Clare next Saturday, where he will be running alongside his good friend PJ Ballasty. This will be in preparation for the Longford marathon in August and the Dublin City marathon October.Good luck Tom!Stream 'clean-up' on WednesdayThe Tidy Towns committee will be busy this coming Wednesday, May 20, when they will carry out a clean-up of the Derry stream that runs through Rochfortbridge.Volunteers of Westmeath Community Development will be taking part in the 'stream clean', and PRO for the group, Dave Raftis is inviting any member of the Rochfortbridge community along to join in.The 'stream clean' kicks off at 10am - see you there!St. Brigid"s HurlingSponsored CycleThe wheels are well in motion for the forthcoming cycle on Sunday, May 31 which commences from Wallace"s Pub, Dalystown at 2pm.Anyone who still hasn"t got a sponsorship card or is interested in joining the cycle can contact any of the club members.Intermediate ChampionshipSt. Brigid"s drew against Fr. Daltons recently with a last minute goal from Dermot Faulkner. Well done to all.Junior championshipThe club lost their first game in this grade against Cullion. However, it was a good workout for the younger players.Leinster LeagueAt the time of going to press, St. Brigid"s were due to play the semi-final in this competition in Carlow on Monday, May 18.Club officials said the semi final would be a tough one to pull off as all of their college players would be missing from the game, and so are relying on the more experienced players win this one in the hope that St. Brigid"s have a full panel for the final.