CITY COUNCILLOR QUESTIONS GALWAY PLANNING DESIGNATION

Date Published: 12-Jan-2012

There are "serious flaws" with the planning system in Galway when a person can’t build a house on their own land.

That’s according to City Councillor Frank Fahey, who proposed a material contravention of the Development Plan at a meeting of the Council yesterday. [9/1]

The contravention was to facilitate a woman demolishing a shed and building a house close to her family home at Coolough Road in Menlo.

The area is zoned G for open space and agriculture, however Director of Planning, Tom Connell recommended the development.

He said there should be no problem with it, however Councillor Colette Connolly said she was "astounded" by his recommendation.

She argued that it was not the job of the Council to materially contravene the Development Plan for an individual person.

The matter was put to a vote, with 9 councillors for and 5 against.

However it was not passed as 11 votes in favour are needed to pass a material contravention.

Councillor Fahey says he’s very disappointed with the planning process.