Sligo should be aiming to be considered the capital of the North West if it is going to grow and reach it’s potential as a gateway city.
That’s according to the county council’s submission to the Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework.
Sligo is ready to become the region’s capital
That’s the message coming from Sligo County Council after councillors unanimously voted in favour of a draft submission to the Ireland 2040 National Planning Framework.
The framework is aimed at setting a vision for achieving sustainable and effective regional development by 2040.
At a special meeting of Sligo County Council yesterday officials presented the council’s plan for Sligo which will be submitted to government by March 31st.
The main theme of the submission is that Sligo is more than capable of being an alternative to Dublin for business and the growing national population.
Senior planner Frank Moylan told councillors that the Sligo area extends into Leitrim, North Mayo, North Roscommon, West Cavan and South Donegal.
Due to this there is a catchment of over two hundred thousand people around Sligo Town making it ideal for a regional capital.
Independent councillor Michael Clarke said the proposal needs to ‘upsale’ Sligo as a potential capital while Fine Gael’s Dara Mulvey believes tourism could be a major factor.
The planned N4 upgrade, rail link to Dublin and close proximity to Knock Airport are also seen by the council as proof of the potential for growth.
Director of Planning, Community and Economic Development Dorothy Clarke says they can deliver for the region
