Serial objectors creating ‘financial burden’ and ‘heartache’ for planning applicants in Wexford

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Serial objectors are causing “heartache” and creating a “financial burden” for individuals and businesses apply for planning permission in Co Wexford. That’s according to Councillor Mary Farrell who said many of those objecting to planning applications in her constituency of Kilmuckridge were doing so for “no reason whatsoever”.

Speaking at the January meeting of the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD) Cllr Farrell asked whether the council’s planning department gave due consideration to serial objectors.

“I’ve seen a lot of people who object to planning applications as soon as they see the signs go up,” she said.

“They just seem to object for no reason whatsoever, just because they don’t want a house anywhere near them. Do we take note of people who serially object because it’s creating heartache and financial burden for applicants. Is that information recorded and taken into account?”

In response, executive planner Eoghan Nolan said “everyone has a right to make an objection and pay the relevant fee”.

"We do take all of it into consideration and submissions are made public for everyone to see,” he added. “We carry out our own reviews once the objections have been submitted.”