One in 10 parking spaces will be fitted with charging facilities for electric cars

Up to 10 per cent of all car parking spaces in future developments will have to be fitted with charging facilities for electric cars, councillors were informed at last Monday’s meeting to finalise the Draft County Development Plan (2021-27).

Responding to a query from North Western Regional Assembly about a policy amendment calling for the council to make provisions for electric car charging facilities in every town and village in the county, the Westmeath County Council chief executive, Pat Gallagher, said that it is government policy that up to 10 per cent of the parking spaces in all new housing developments be fitted with charging facilities and that the remainder be constructed in a way that they will be able to accommodate charging points in the future.

Cllr Andrew Duncan was one of a number of councillors who noted that there were still a relatively small number of electrical cars on the road, primarily due to their cost. He said that widespread use of the vehicles “could be a bit further down the road that some realise”.

Cllr Tom Farrell said that it is important that charging points are installed at local tourist destinations such as the Hill of Uisneach and Fore Abbey, as they will soon be “essential”.

Cllr Louise Heavin said that one of the barriers for some people when it came to purchasing electrical vehicles was the relatively small number of charging points around the country.