FF councillors reject Cullen plan

The first signs of a backlash by Fianna Fáil councillors against the new guidelines by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, on rural housing emerged at a special meeting of Clare County Council yesterday.

Councillors expressed their dis-satisfaction with the guidelines and called for changes.

Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) said the guidelines would have a serious impact on those trying to build houses in the county.

"The guidelines are much too restrictive and more prescriptive than what is in place and we will end tying ourselves up in knots," he said.

Cllr P.J. Kelly (FF) claimed many of the policies contained in the new guidelines were in direct conflict with the draft Clare County Development Plan.

Councillors were told by a senior planner, Mr Liam Conneally, that the guidelines would impose new restrictions on building one-off houses off national and regional roads.

The guidelines state: "The objectives and policies of the development plan should make it clear that direct access from future development should not be permitted to national roads outside of the speed-limit zones for towns and villages".

The guidelines advise local authorities to indicate any regional roads where development control requirements will operate to safeguard the routes.

Mr Conneally also highlighted the fact that the guidelines proposed that the occupancy clause for individuals securing planning permission for one-off houses be seven years, instead of the council's current requirement of five.

The council agreed to express its concerns and seek clarification on the guidelines in a submission to be lodged with the Department before April 30th.