Madam, - The Minister for the Environment is the latest Government member to suggest planning regulations should be changed dramatically to allow thousands of one-off houses to be built in the countryside. What's changing? According to the Government's own figures, a third of all houses are one-off detached properties in the countryside.
The Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland has said recently that the current pattern of one-off housing will not sustain thriving rural communities in the future, and will, in fact "place a huge strain" on community facilities and on infrastructure.
According to a survey for the trade magazine Hospitality Ireland, tourists say Ireland's chief attraction is its scenery, which can only be damaged by the Government's proposals.
Eighty-five per cent of all planning applications are already being passed. Fifty per cent of new homes in Co Donegal and 60 per cent in Co Leitrim are in fact holiday homes. This is the reality - nothing to do with the emotive arguments put forward in favour of the changes, such as farmer's sons not being able to build on their own land.
- Yours, etc.,
CONOR BROPHY, Seapark Drive, Dublin 3.
Madam, - Is it not time once and for all for changes in planning legislation to enable the appointment of a planning ombudsman?
People are fed up to the teeth with the entirely undemocratic nature of the planning system in Ireland.
Unelected officials are dictating to the decent people of Ireland whilst agencies answerable to no one ride slipshod over other people's property rights.
While I do not advocate a planning free-for-all, I am disgusted at how little respect is shown for the property rights of those whose ancestors fought so hard to regain the sacred earth. I have been informed in reply to a parliamentary question that the Ombudsman is precluded from being involved in planning matters.
Is it not past time that our people had a truly independent appeal system on planning matters?
If the Government does bring forward legislation on planning in the New Year as promised, I hope it will address the appointment of a planning ombudsman, and end hoax letters of objection once and for all. - Yours, etc.,
Dr JERRY COWLEY,TD,(Independent), Mulranny, Co Mayo.