Not responding to announcement of changes to rural planning ‘failing the people of Sligo’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A call for Sligo County Council to prepare a report for Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of Ireland James Browne following the announcement of change to rural planning applications was rejected by the Local Authority’s Executive when the matter came up for discussion at the April monthly meeting of the Local Authority.

Chief Executive Martin Lydon and Director of Services Emer Concannon both poured cold water on Cllr Clarke’s motion which stated: “Given Minister Brown TD has announced a relaxation of restrictions of rural planning conditions, I call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report to assist the Minister to ensure any new guidelines will suit Sligo.”

The motion was supported by Cllr Joe Queenan who referred to it as “An emotive issue”, while Cllr Gerard Mullaney remarked, “I think it is a good idea to make a submission informing the Department of what works best for Co Sligo.”

Addressing the meeting Ms Concannon commented, “We’re not in a position to change, that is a decision for the Minister.”

Speaking to his motion Cllr Clarke commented, “The Minister was quite clear, he said rural guidelines. I accept completely what the Director has said but I think Cllr Mullaney has hit the nail on the head. To not respond to the announcement would be failing the people of Sligo. We have the finest planners but their hands are tied.”

In reply Mr Lydon remarked, “We can’t make a submission on something we don’t know what the details are. I could be doing a submission but I need to know what it’s about. To be frank, I haven’t a clue what it means at the moment.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.