Callely may have to scrap garage conversion

FORMER Junior Minister Ivor Callely could be forced to scrap guest accommodation he built at his holiday home if he loses an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Cork County Council has refused him retention for change of use of his detached garage to guest accommodation at his luxury holiday home at Kilcrohane, on the Sheep’s Head peninsula.

A spokeswoman for the local authority last night confirmed that if Mr Callely appeals the decision and loses, “enforcement proceedings are available” as an option.

Mr Callely was forced to resign as Junior Transport Minister in December.

He had become embroiled in a number of controversies.

These included the manner in which he treated his staff and an allegation that a construction company had provided painters free of charge to decorate his Dublin home.

The Fianna Fáil deputy had converted a 120-square metre garage at his Co Cork holiday house without getting approval from the local authority.

The height of the building was also increased by more than a metre.

He first sought permission for the garage in 1996 and it was granted two years later. He applied for retention of the conversion work last November.

Mr Callely was uncontactable yesterday but, if as expected, he appeals to An Bord Pleanála, he must do so within the next four weeks.

Meanwhile, An Bord Pleanála has confirmed that it has again postponed making a decision on a controversial development which divided opinion in a town in Co Cork.

Lawton Developments is seeking to build 73 houses and a 100-bedroom hotel on what objectors allege is a flood plain in Fermoy.

The local town council voted by the narrowest of margins last June to refuse permission and the developers appealed.

A judgment was first to have been issued on November 8 last but was later postponed until yesterday.

A spokesman for An Bord Pleanála said the decision had been put off again.

He said he expected it would now be made in the middle of next month.