Councillor says Kerry planning policies far too stringent

Councillors said they were hoping for a new approach from recently appointed county manager Tom Curran, who met Fianna Fáil councillors on the issue before the annual meeting in Tralee two weeks ago.

Despite promises that favourable treatment would be given for one-off houses on family-owned land, people were still finding it extremely difficult to get planning permission, FF Cllr Michael Cahill warned.

"I’m bitterly disappointed. The guidelines issued by the former Minister for the Environment are not being applied in Kerry," he said.

"I’m involved in up to 100 planning cases, some of which have been going on for years, and am annoyed at the way matters are being handled by officials."

Latest information from the council shows wide variations in the rate of applications granted.

Killorglin electoral area has the highest rate of refusals. More than a quarter of applications there were turned down between January and May.

In that period, the council decided on just under 2,000 applications, 79% of which were granted.

In the Killarney area, 88% of applications were granted, compared to 83% in Dingle and 79% in Listowel.

Tralee had an approval rate of 76%, while Killorglin had the lowest, with 73%.

Mr Cahill, who is campaigning in the Seanad election, said he was travelling through every county and found Kerry had the most stringent planning policies.

Donal Hickey

© Irish Examiner