REZONING OF RACECOURSE AREA WOULD BE OUTRAGE MEETING TOLD

“To rezone the racecourse and sell it off to developers and speculators for housing and commercial development could only be described as an outrage.  It would be a desecration of one of the most wonderful natural amenities we have in Sligo.” the Deputy Mayor of Sligo, Cllr Declan Bree, told a Public Meeting organised by the People First group in the Abbeyquarter Community Centre in Cranmore this week.

Cllr Bree said that if the people of Sligo wanted the racecourse area to remain zoned as a green area for recreation they must make it clear to councillors of all political persuasions that any attempt to rezone all or any portion of the land at the racecourse is unacceptable.

Ms Jenny Conlon, of People First who chaired the meeting said that one of the objectives of the People First community group is to campaign for the retention and protection of all the green areas including Cleveragh, which are zoned as Open Space/Green Links in the current city development plan.

“This public meeting is one in a series we intend holding so as to raise public consciousness on the matter and to encourage members of the public to lobby their elected representatives so as to ensure that there will be no attempt to rezone green areas.” she said.

Local historian, Ms Fiona Gallagher, praised the “Great vision of the Corporation in the 1940’s in purchasing the Cleveragh demesne for use as a public park.”   She pointed out that the estate was paid for the “the pennies of the people of Sligo”. 

During the course of his address Cllr Bree told the meeting “The land at Sligo racecourse at Cleveragh was purchased by Sligo Corporation some 60 years ago to provide green space and a recreation area for the people of Sligo.

“While the area has been closely associated with horseracing over the decades, the increasing use of the land at the racecourse in recent years by athletes and by runners and walkers both young and old is a clear indication that the ordinary people of this community are claiming ownership of what is theirs by right. 

“However revelations in the media that the County Manager has been in secret negotiations with representatives of Sligo Race Company with a view to having the race meetings moved from Cleveragh to an alternative racecourse developed at Cloonamahon is clearly a matter we should take note of.

“Councillors were not told of these negotiations nor have we been told what plans the County Manager has for the lands at the racecourse.

“We do know that only four years ago when the Sligo City and Environs Development Plan was being considered for adoption, the County Manager and his officials recommended that councillors rezone the lands at the Racecourse to allow for  housing development.

“Thanks to the outcry from the general public at the time, and thanks to the campaign initiated by the Save Our Green Areas committee, councillors rejected the County Managers recommendation and unanimously voted in support of a motion which I proposed, that the lands at the Racecourse be retained for recreation and zoned as Public Open Space/Green Links.

“I would point out that elected councillors and County Managers in the past had the foresight to recognise the wonderful amenity value of the racecourse lands.  

“Not only did they take the land into public ownership but they also ensured that it was protected and retained as a green area.    And in the bad times - during the 40’s and 50’s and even in later times when Sligo Corporation was strapped for cash, no councillor or official ever suggested rezoning the racecourse lands to sell off for housing development.

“Now, at a time when Sligo is growing, when new housing estates and apartments are being constructed all over the city, when there was never more need for green areas for recreation, we have this issue raising its head once more.

“The County Manager says that given the areas proximity to the town centre and the very significant amount of open space identified in the area it would be unreasonable to maintain the entire racecourse free from development.   I totally reject that view.   Given the area’s proximity to the city centre is all the more reason for retaining it as a green area.   And I would again ask how in the name of goodness is it ‘unreasonable’ to want the area retained as a green area for sport and recreation.

“The Borough Council agreed in the past to develop recreational facilities in the centre of the racecourse while retaining horse racing and I am aware that the Racecourse Management Committee confirmed that it is willing to co-operate with the Council in this regard.   In the event of the racecourse company deciding to relocate to another area I firmly believe that all the land which is currently leased should be used for sport and recreation purposes.

“The racecourse and Cleveragh is one of the few remaining green areas remaining in Sligo.  It is zoned in the City Development Plan as Open Space/Green Links.  It is in public ownership.  To rezone the racecourse and sell it off to developers and speculators for housing and commercial development could only be described as an outrage.  It would be a desecration of one of the most wonderful natural amenities we have in Sligo.” Cllr Bree said.

Local historian Ms Fiona Gallagher told the meeting that Cleveragh demesne was originally the home of the Martin Family, later to be Woodmartin, and as far back as 1864 the demesne, consisting of 270 acres of landscaped park and woodland was opened to the public on the occasion of the Royal Agricultural Society’s Show.  She said the demesne was opened to the pubic on a regular basis between then and 1916.

“In 1947, Cleveragh demesne, consisting of 298 acres, 98 of them woodland, was purchased by Sligo Corporation for use as a public park” she said.

“The purchase price was £10,500 – about £300,000 sterling today.  It was considered a ‘Bargain Price’ at the time.   Alderman Eamonn Tolan was the driving force behind the purchase along with the then Town Clerk Mr Bradshaw.   Alderman John Fallon, described the acquisition of the demesne as ‘One of the greatest coups brought about by the Corporation since it was formed in 1612.’

“A significant portion of the estate was leased to the Sligo Race Committee in the 1950’s and the first races were held there in August 1954.”

Ms Gallagher praised the “Great vision of the Corporation in the 1940’s in purchasing the Cleveragh demesne for use as a public park.”   She pointed out that the estate was paid for the “the pennies of the people of Sligo”. 

“The land at the racecourse should not be rezoned and sold off.  It should be held in trust for future generations.   It has excellent potential for sports and recreation – it is flat, large, well drained, and accessible.   It is vital as a green lung for the Borough.   It is a unique environmental asset.” Ms Gallagher said.