Planning permission difficulties are highlighted by councillors
COUNCILLORS were disappointed that a representative from planning was not present at the November meeting of Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, but a discussion about the issue continued despite this which saw all of the members highlight cases of refusal for planning permission.
‘Someone being refused on a very small technicality, that’s incurring costs. It seems to be that you haven’t ticked a box and you lose out,’ said Cllr Donohoe.
‘I’m not happy with the approach that planning is taking at the moment. The interpretation of plans and provisions is holding up housing development. We are crying out for housing and some of these decisions are a bit bizarre,’ said Cllr Byrne.
‘ There’s no consistency across the board; it’s crazy and it could be information that is so minor,’ said Cllr Farrell, which Cllr Breen agreed with.
‘Agents should work more closely with the planning office when they are putting in applications to make sure they have everything they need,’ said Cllr Kavanagh.
Although the issue was highlighted for Gorey, councillors described how it is particularly difficult in more rural areas.
‘We need people to come in to our villages to live but they only going to do so if they have broadband, water and sewage,’ said Cllr Devereux.
‘ There are some children of farmers and non-farmers coming back to their land and can’t get planning. The restrictions are very unfairly applied and I’m not singling out the planning department of Wexford County Council, it’s a nationwide problem,’ said Cllr Ó’Súilleabháin.
‘In my view it’s regulation coming from Brussels, it’s silliness, as there seems to be a trend to move people towards villages and towns as there’s less pressure on the system.
‘We need a more balanced approached to keep people in rural areas,’ he concluded.
Cllr Donohoe disagreed with Cllr Ó’Súilleabháin’s comments about Brussels, describing this as the law of the land. ‘If we had a case that people had inadequate services on rural land and built anyway, we’d be up in arms. You can’t have no regulation.
‘Planning aren’t here to explain to us so need to come back with a report,’ he said. To the end of October, a total of 307 planning decisions were made with 240 granted and 67 refused. Councillors should be hearing a presentation on the St Waleran’s site at the next meeting.