Planning dictat is slammed as a 'snub to local democracy'

MOVES to oppose a new planning directive issued by Minister Eoghan Murphy are being initiated by an independent member of Mayo County Council.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said he was shocked and disappointed to receive a dictat from the minister's office seeking a blanket ban on the discussion of planning matters at municipal district and council meetings.

A circular dispatched by Terry Sheridan, principal, planning policy, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, stated discussion of the merits of individual planning applications at local authority meetings 'does not form part of the statutory process for the consideration of such applications and should not be used by elected members to advocate that a particular decision be made on an individual application'.

Mr. Sheridan's view was that 'such a practice could be viewed as an attempt to undermine due process and exert undue influence on the planning authority and/or to make a decision that would not be in the interests of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned'.

“Furthermore,” he outlined, “the practice could convey an erroneous impression to the public of the role of elected members in the statutory process for deciding on planning applications.

“As a result, Part 3 planning applications should not be discussed prior to the making of decisions on them and the participation of local authority officials in any such discussions is not appropriate in the circumstances.”

At present, elected members only discuss applications earmarked for refusal if they believe additional local information may be helpful in reaching a final decision.

Stated Councillor Kilcoyne: “It is appalling that such action is being taken by the department and it's an insult to democracy.

“Speaking as a member of the Castlebar Municipal District, we have always been helpful in teasing out difficult planning issues when they arise. We have always acted in the best interests of the public and the local authority.

“To remove planning completely off the agenda is ill-judged and I know some of my elected colleagues feel exactly the same way.

“It's another significant snub to local councillors who know their areas better than anybody.”