Site owner fined €2,500 for failing to comply with planning orders

THE registered owner of a site at Brownswood, Enniscorthy, was taken before the courts last week for failure to comply with orders issued by Wexford County Council’s planning department.

Anne Marie O’Donoghue, address listed as same, was not present in court when the case was called, but solicitor Helen Murphy said that Wexford County Council were ready to move ahead with the case in her absence.

The court heard that the problems surrounded the presence of caravans, a mobile home, a large steel container and a large wooden fence, to the rear of a small, semi-derelict cottage. Evidence was heard from three County Council officials that inspections had been carried out and enforcement notices issued in relation to the matter, but to no avail.

The court heard that planning permission had been granted to the previous owner of the site, Mr Chris Moorehouse, for the demolition of the house and to build a replacement house behind it.

It was also included in this planning permission that Mr Moorehouse was allowed to place a mobile home on site for a duration of two years while works were ongoing. This, planning permission, Judge Haughton heard, had long since lapsed.

A planning application in relation to the site had subsequently been refused by Wexford County Council and upheld by An Bord Pleanála. Planning enforcement inspector David Donegan, gave evidence that he had observed a ‘number of caravans’ on the site at the back of the cottage, as well as a ‘chalet type mobile home’ and a large metal container.

Upon hearing all the evidence, and in the absence of Anne Marie O’Donoghue, Judge Gerard Haughton opted to hand down a fine of €2,500 plus costs of €550 and expenses of €815.41.

He also made an order for compliance with the council’s planning regulations within one month.