MEMBERS of Monaghan County Council approved planning permission for the development of parking and loading bays in Ballybay at their monthly meeting on Tuesday.

Permission was granted despite strong opposition from Fine Gael councillor Hugh McElvaney. The plan will see works carried out on Ballybay’s Lower Main Street from the Courthouse building as far as the Riverdale Hotel. Parking and loading bays will be provided along with the undergrounding of ESB services, realignment and paving of footpaths and the resurfacing of the road along with road markings and signs. The provision of decorative lighting and street furniture will also be included.

Senior Planner Adrian Hughes informed the members of Monaghan County Council that no public objections or submissions had been made with regard to the work proposed. Councillor McElvaney who was the only member not to agree to the works proceeding declared that they would take away from the town of Ballybay and said they were equal to the “messing about” that had been carried out in Monaghan town and Clones. “This work will take away useful car parking spaces and put loading bays where they are not wanted. It makes a sham of the whole town,” Cllr McElvaney stated. The Clones Area councillor did not know how aware the people of Ballybay were of the proposed works which he felt would make “a mockery” of what the local people were used to.

Cllr Owen Bannigan said that the parking spaces in the town would not be reduced except where the loading bays were to be provided. Cllr McElvaney stated that the reason he was opposing the works going ahead was because there was a reduction of parking spaces in the original proposal. Cllr PJ O’Hanlon asked whether there was a need for the loading bays. Responding Mr Hughes said that Monaghan County Council believed there was a need for the bays due to deliveries at commercial properties on the main street. A show of hands vote approved the proposal with the only opposition to the works from Cllr McElvaney.