Professional agents’ errors delay planning applications

SOME professional agents representing people applying for planning permissions are not filling out application forms properly, according to figures released by Cork County Council yesterday.

John O’Neill, the council’s director of services for planning, told public representatives that out of 9,880 applications received last year 1,959 (19.8%) were declared invalid because they weren’t properly completed.

He said that agents are fully aware of the requirements of the planning regulations, but nevertheless the number of invalid applications is on the increase, from 16% in 2004.