This article is from page 14 of the 2006-09-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
CLARE County Council has been criticised for its refusal to grant planning permission to a family wishing to build a one-off home near Lemanagh Castle in the Burren.
Joseph O’ Connor had hoped to build a home for his partner and three children. The family currently live in local authority accommodation in Ennistymon.
Mr O’ Connor’s appeal against the refusal states that, “the decision of the council is inconsistent with recent decisions at this location.
“Two other applications were deemed by the council to be in accordance with the policies of the County Development Plan and would not seriously injure the amenities of the area.
“As both of these developments are on sites either side of the current application, and one within the identified boundary of the archaeological complex, I suggest that this application satisfies the same criteria.”
Earlier this year, a plan for a separate one-off home was heading for a refusal, but north Clare councillor, Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) requested Senior Executive Planner, Brian McCarthy to visit the site in question.
Mr McCarthy visited the site and consulted with Senior Planner, Liam Conneally. Subsequently, the council ignored the advice of the area planner and the council’s conservation officer and gave the go-ahead for the home.
An Taisce appealed the decision, claiming that there was a lack of transparency in permitting the home – a claim the council rejected.
Clare County Council subsequently refused planning permission to Mr O’ Connor.
He contends in his appeal, “that the reasons for refusal as stated in the decision to refuse planning permission for this development are without substance and can be refuted.
“It is also my contention that the proposed development is fully in accordance with the policy of Clare County Council as outlined in the Clare County Development Plan and North Clare Local Area Plan.
“The assessment of the application failed to give sufficient weight to the fact that the applicant is a local rural worker.”
Mr O’ Connor returned home from England with his parents in 1988. His appeal states that he is a parttime farmer on the family landholding and a community employment participant in Carron where he works part-time as a stonemason.
His intention is to assume responsibility for the operation of the family landholding from his widowed mother.
A decision is due on the application later this year.