TD BRANDS AN BORD PLEANÁLA HOTEL REFUSAL AS ‘INSANE’

LABOUR TD Alan Kelly has branded a decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for a hotel in Ballinskelligs as ‘insane’ after it emerged that one of two objectors on the planning file appears not to exist.

The opposition TD raised the Kerry hotel project with An Bord Pleanála last week at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), who met with the planning authority last week to discuss i’s 2018 financial statements; the adequacy of governance arrangements in the organisation; and internal financial controls. Chairman of An Bord Pleanála Dave Walsh said they took notes on the issue.

During the PAC meeting TD Alan Kelly said that it was his view that this decision was incorrect and that the fact that an objector, who appears not to exist, was allowed to object to the board is a concern. The Labour TD has links to the area; his wife is from there, and the couple owns a holiday home in Ballinskelligs.

“It was an insane decision on every level,” Deputy Kelly said. “There was no transparency. It was completely and utterly insane. That is my personal view. I am not saying anything about anyone,” he said.

The hotel was turned down by An Bord Pleanála for a number of reasons according to its report, which includes concerns about suitability of the hotel, traffic concerns and the visual impact of the project.

Two objecting parties were named on the planning file: Colm Gleeson and Linda Horgan; and Peter O’Sullivan with an address at The Lodges, Cork Road, Kenmare. Following extensive research by Radio Kerry, it was found that a Mr O’Sullivan with this address did not exist.

“Nobody in Kerry knew who this person was or could find them,” Deputy Kelly said. “This has been discussed ad nauseam in Kerry. The decision, however, of An Bord Pleanála on that development was influenced by this. There were only two objectors. Everyone knows who the other one was. That was their right as a citizen and I have no issue with that. The decision, however, was based on the two objections sent to An Bord Pleanála. Nobody knows who the other person was. Most people there do not believe that person exists,” said Mr Kelly.

He said that such decision “cannot be allowed happen” and is an example of why the public has concerns about the planning board.

“Decisions like that are not acceptable. Parking the decision about the actual case, it cannot happen that it was appealed by somebody who does not exist,” concluded Mr Kelly.

He said Balliskelligs was relying on this project and that the fact that this objection was allowed was “fundamentally, totally and utterly wrong”.

Labour TD Alan Kelly