Mayo TDs accused of 'closing their eyes' to anti-rural planning regulations

A MEMBER of Mayo County Council has accused the county's TDs of 'having their eyes closed' to planning legislation passing through Dáil Éireann.

Councillor Al McDonnell said he was stunned to learn that planning permission for a house in west Mayo was turned down due to the potential of the applicants running two motor vehicles.

The Moorehall-based representative said the decision appeared to be a precedent based on new planning laws.

“I can only say that rural TDs who let this become legislation have their eyes closed. This kind of thing is not doing rural Ireland any good whatsoever.”

Councillor McDonnell called for planning meetings to be restored to Mayo County Council.

“I know we have been prevented by ministerial order from discussing planning issues in public but there is no reason why we cannot discuss planning matters in private.

“There is legislation being slipped through on a regular basis which is anti-rural Ireland and we are being given little say.

“It is a total disgrace what is happening.”

The Fianna Fáil representative said there is a chance for councillors to make a stand on the matter ahead of the drafting of the new Mayo County Development Plan.

“There is a huge onus on us to respond to what is happening at national level and stand up for rural Ireland.”

Councillor Cyril Burke agreed with the views articulated by Councillor McDonnell.

He said new regulations placed an onus on developers to ensure 30 per cent of houses in all new estates are detached.

“This is not viable for them and it is resulting in the price of a three-bedroom semi-detached rising to €250,000, a cost that very few couples can afford.

“The reality is that no new housing estates will be built by private developers.”