Surplus of new houses ensures planning refusals

A CHANGE of heart by several Fianna Fáil councillors resulted in three Section 140 planning motions, which seek to direct a county manager to give planning permission against his better judgement, being defeated at yesterday’s meeting of Kerry County Council, in Tralee.

Each motion failed to get the necessary 21 votes. Risks of pollution, traffic hazards and visual interference were cited by planners among the reasons for turning down the applications.

Warnings have been given about damage to Kerry’s natural environment by over development. Deputy county manager Willie Wixted said the number of houses being built in the Kerry countryside was well above the national average.