EU Questions Wicklow Planning Rules

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EU Questions Wicklow Planning Rules

Thursday, June 28 2007

The EU questioning of Irish planning rules follows a complaint by a person denied permission to build on his own land.

He sought to build a family house on land in Co Wicklow he had owned for 14 years. Because he was not a "permanent native resident", permission was refused.

In response, the Commission examined development plans in Counties Carlow, Clare, Cork. Its decision is likely to make local authorities extremely cautious about granting permissions for one-off rural housing for fear of legal challenges and a flood of appeals against past decisions.

Fianna Fail MEP Sean O Neachtain said the Commission should keep its nose out of local planning decisions. It was only fair that people with a strong family history in and deep connections to an area should be granted planning in preference to others. But FG MEP Mairead McGuinness said authorities should re-examine their 'local needs' rules.

The Department of Environment said last night it would be making a formal response to the EU.

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