Councillor describes N56 planning restrictions as 'madness'
A Donegal County Councillor has once again called for planning restrictions on the N56 to be revised, describing them as 'madness'.
Independent councillor Michael McClafferty, made the comments in an interview with Donegal Daily at the Glenties Municipal District meeting in Dungloe yesterday.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland imposed a 'blanket ban' on homes being built on the N56.
However, McClafferty has once again highlighted how new planning regulations being brought in deliver nothing for the Glenties MD area.
"The new planning regulations have not moved the dial on anything for us here in the Glenties Municipal District. Nothing has changed. It makes no difference to us, because at the end of the day, we can't get on to the N56.
"That decision by the TII has effected so many people in my area, people being denied the opportunity to build homes beside their families due to the term 'intensification' is a hard pillow to swallow for so many, especially in the midst of a housing crisis," said McClafferty.
McClafferty's frustrations were further compounded by the announcement of new regulations regarding front garden and back garden planning that had initially offered hope.
McClafferty says the restrictions being imposed on mobile homes and caravans are just not practical.
"We thought new regulations for front garden and back garden planning was going to be a great proposal initially, but we have since discovered that they don't cover mobile homes or caravans.
Numerous people have contacted me over the last 6 weeks asking can they have mobile homes on their own land, but they can't. You can only use mobile homes and caravans if it's going to be temporary, you can't use it as a permanent location going forward, and it's just madness," said McClafferty.
McClafferty said the rules around mobile homes, log cabins and caravans simply have to be relaxed.
"There's so many people out there through no fault of there own can't get on the property ladder, they are unable to buy a house, rent a house, or save up for a deposit for a mortgage.
"We need to get this current policy relaxed and get it changed. If people find themselves in a position that they can't rent, buy, or save for a mortgage then they need to be able to have access to alternative accommodation, such as a mobile home, caravan, or log cabin."
McClafferty said the planning acts are stripping away any reasonable aspect of living in rural Donegal.
"We thought the new planning regulations may serve as a gateway to get back on the N56, but that's not the case. The decision on the N56 needs to be revised immediately, it's just madness and it doesn't make any sense," said McClafferty.
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