A helpline for those involved in planning controversies is planned by a new group which met for the first time in Roscommon this week, writes Michael O'Regan.
Kingsland, near Boyle, Co Roscommon, was the venue this week for a meeting which could have implications for those opposing planning developments throughout the State.
It had nothing to do with An Taisce or those opposed to one-off housing in rural Ireland. Indeed, the emphasis was on rural development within appropriate environmental and planning guidelines.
Those who attended live in rural Ireland and are anxious to see it develop, but they believe that a website and a helpline are essential for those involved in opposing developments which they believe to be a threat to the environment in towns and villages throughout the Republic. They hope to have both up and running shortly.
Ms Catherine Ansbro, a Boyle-based businesswoman, who helped organise the meeting, said that there were many individuals and groups who had information and experience on the issue. "We need practical ways of sharing this information. Our group is pro-development and aims to promote planning in its true sense, which is about thinking of future impact as well as the present.
"New European legislation says the public must have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in decision-making about development that affects them. This new national network is a way we can take the initiative in this process."
She added that potential sources of funding would be explored. "Many volunteers have already indicated their desire to contribute their time and skills."
The attendance at the meeting, in the heart of a part of the sparsely-populated Roscommon countryside was quite diverse.
Ms Bairbre Ohlig-Schaefer, a German who lives in Drumkeeran, Co Leitrim, with her husband, Joachim, said the aim was to engage a wide network of people who would need access to information when challenging what they considered to be inappropriate planning developments.
"It has become clear to us that there is a need for people to learn more about the basics of planning, particularly since the planning development act put a strict time limit on submissions.
"What I always hear is that people feel strongly that they are not getting a fair hearing in the planning process." Ms Ohlig-Schaefer said that the building of one-off houses was only an issue for the group when they contravened the planning and environmental laws. That issue was not the motivating factor in the group coming together. "The bottom line, as far as we are concerned, is that people do not know what they have to do, or learn too late, about objecting to planning developments."
Ms Anna Kavanagh, a schoolteacher from Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, chairperson of the steering committee, said the issues being pursued by the group had nothing to do with one-off housing.
"It is about the capacity of people to challenge planning decisions. Last year, local authorities issued 1,700 enforcement orders in cases where the planning conditions were not being adhered to, and less than a quarter were complied with."
Mr Michael Ewing, a picture-framer based in Knockvicar, Co Roscommon, said there was a sense of helplessness among people opposing developments.
"It could be a housing development, a factory or a waste plant or whatever. For instance, in the case of an industrial plant designed over a period of three years, those objecting have five weeks to become experts. We would basically like to be the facilitators for those looking for expertise in many different areas."