This article is from page 8 of the 2006-05-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
THE actions of two of Clare County Council’s completely undermines the planning system in Clare, according to Cllr Brian Meaney (GP).
He claimed that Senior Executive Planners Brian McCarthy and Liam Conneally, ignored professional reports and the Development Plan to grant planning for a one-off home near Lemanagh Castle.
“I have reviewed the file and the implications of their actions are very worrying and it makes responsible representation worthless,” said Cllr Meaney.
“Here is an instance where management has turned everything on its head and the rule book has been thrown out the window and we need to know why.
“There is a need for decisions to be made in a recorded and transparent way so that they can be tested properly.
“But that hasn’t been done in this case and the hundreds of people who are either refused or don’t apply at all because of the local rule, will be very frustrated when they see this case.”
An Taisce has appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
The organistion points to the refusal recommendation by both the area planner and by the conservation officer.
Planning was subsequently awarded following the intervention of the Senior Executive Planner.
“There is a lack of transparency in establishing the circumstances in which this occurred and whether this was as a result of the initiative of the Senior Executive Planner or any managerial intervention,” according to An Taisce.
“Whichever was the case, the manner in which this intervention occurred is not based on any memo or considered deliberation which is available for consideration on the planning file.”
Asked to comment on the decisionmaking around the file, the Director for Planning, Bernadette Kinsella, said that she was unable to comment on the planning application as it was currently before An Bord Pleanála.
Senior Planner, Liam Conneally, said, “I understand that the file you refer to is on appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Clare County Council’s response to the grounds of appeal will be made in the normal way, that is, through the appeal process.”
A decision is not expected in the case until September.