Group fighting to save Carrick-on-Suir parking spaces submits complaint to minister

An action group campaigning to save 27 parking spaces on Carrick-on-Suir’s Main Street due to be permanently axed under the town’s €17.9m regeneration scheme has set up a petition and lodged a complaint to the Minister for Rural & Community Development.

The Main Street Business Initiative’s 45-page complaint was submitted to Minister Heather Humphreys last Friday.

The MBI’s complaint concerns alleged flaws in the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) grant application Tipperary County Council submitted to Minister Humphrey’s department for the Carrick Regeneration Scheme and alleged flaws in the scheme’s planning application process.

Bobby Fitzgerald of MBI outlined the complaint concerns alleged flaws in the public consultation process including breaches of Public Participation Network (PPN) rules that the group contends disenfranchised its members.

It also details what the MBI regards as flawed assumptions made in the application and issues with the project’s Environmental and Wildlife Impact Assessments.

“We have asked in the complaint that all Carrick Regeneration Scheme funding and works be put on hold until all matters are investigated,” he said.

Minister Humphreys’ office has informed the MBI the complaint is being examined and the Department will respond as soon as possible. The PPN matter has been forwarded to Minister of State for Community Development Joe O’Brien for his attention.

The MBI plans to also submit the complaint to the EU Commission and Office of the Planning Regulator before Christmas.

Meanwhile, Mr Fitzgerald reported the MBI petition calling for the retention of existing parking facilities on Main Street has so far secured a huge number of signatures. It’s available to sign in shops and businesses throughout Carrick and there are plans to do a door-to-door signature collection campaign.

“We are going to keep the petition going until the end of November and we plan to submit it to Minister Humphreys.”

The MBI’s actions follow an unanimous secret ballot vote by 71 of its members in support of the organisation lodging the official complaints.

Mr Fitzgerald said the Council hasn’t contacted the MBI since the vote and submission of the complaint.

He said the MBI will only be interested in a further meeting with the Council if the authority has a concrete proposal for its members.

The MBI comprises business owners, tenants, and property owners on Main St. and some adjoining streets.

It was set up due to their concerns about the impact the reduction in parking spaces on Main Street will have on their businesses and properties when the street undergoes the regeneration scheme .

The number of spaces is set to drop from 54 to 33 as part of the facelift. The MBI points out a further six spaces were removed on the street due to temporary footpath build outs installed during the Covid pandemic and haven’t be restored.

Responding to the MBI, Carrick Municipal District Director of Services Brian Beck said the process of applying for funding for the regeneration of Carrick-on-Suir commenced in 2020 with Part 8 planning granted in December 2021.

“Notwithstanding the fact the MBI group only formed in May 2024, the Council met a number of times with the group’s representatives in order to respond to the concerns they had,” he said.

“At the Council’s last meeting with the representatives on September 17, MBI had suggested they would postpone lodging complaints for a number of months to allow for further engagement.

“The Council has now received notification from MBI that they have lodged a complaint to Minister Heather Humphreys’ office, but hasn’t received a copy of the complaint from MBI or the Department of Rural & Community Development.”

He said now that a complaint has been lodged, the Council will respect the complaint process and engage fully with the Department.

“In that context, it would be inappropriate to engage with MBI while the complaint is being examined.
“Notwithstanding that, the Council continues to engage with businesses and property owners within the town with a view to addressing concerns or issues they may have.”

Mr Beck stressed that while the concerns raised by some parties in Carrick are acknowledged, the Council continues to receive widespread support from across the wider community who welcome such positive and significant investment in their town.

“The Council’s priority continues to be the growth, prosperity and development of Carrick-on-Suir and the wider District for the benefit of its people, communities and businesses,” he added.

Mr Beck was asked about MBI’s request to Minister Humphreys to put all Carrick Regeneration Scheme funding and works on hold while the complaint was investigated. He said he couldn’t comment as he had not seen the complaint.

Mr Fitzgerald, meanwhile, clarified that at their last meeting with the Council, MBI proposed postponing the submission of their complaint for several months on condition the Council conducted a Retail Impact Assessment of the loss of parking on Main St. The Council refused their request for the Assessment.

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Carrick-on-Suir Main Street action group steps up campaign to save parking spaces

Main Street Business Initiative members vote unanimously to submit complaints to the EU Commission, Department of Rural & Community Development and Office of the Planning Regulator

Carrick-on-Suir Main Street action group steps up campaign to save parking spaces

Main Street Business Initiative members vote unanimously to submit complaints to the EU Commission, Department of Rural & Community Development and Office of the Planning Regulator

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