Sea views ‘causing rural planning refusals’

YOUNG West Cork couples trying to rebuild old houses belonging to their ancestors are being refused planning permission because they have a view of the sea, it was claimed yesterday.

It was also alleged that foreigners have a better chance of getting permission in the region than the indigenous population.

A number of angry county councillors, led by Fianna Fáil’s Danny Crowley, called for a change in the County Development Plan to address these issues.

Mr Crowley claimed that West Cork was facing ruin.

“Plannings are being refused left, right and centre. I’m proposing that this council encourage redevelopment of ruins. One young couple were told if they had a view of the sea (from a derelict house) they’d have to find another site. Every second refusal is because it’s obtrusive to views,” Cllr Crowley said.

Cllr Donal O’Rourke (FF) said old sites should be utilised while his party colleague, Cllr Joe Carroll, said he couldn’t see why people couldn’t build houses in scenic areas.

“Are they supposed to go into a cave, or hide behind a mountain,” he asked.

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) said some areas classified as scenic weren’t scenic at all.

Meanwhile, Castletownbere-based Cllr Noel Harrington (FG) said that many old houses were tucked away and not obtrusive, therefore making ideal sites.

“We should go on and have a review of the County Development Plan,” he said.

Cllr Paddy Sheehan agreed that the planning guidelines needed reappraisal, pointing out that councillors would get an opportunity to review them in 2007.

“It’s impossible now to get a rural planning application. It’s easier to get to the moon. There’s a demand for rural regeneration. This will have to change, and change rapidly. It would do the manager, his staff and the officials good to do the Slea Head drive and to see what a good job Kerry County Council have done with old stone houses,” Cllr Sheehan said.

He also claimed that “international people” were getting planning where locals couldn’t.

“It’s getting harder by the day to get planning in West Cork. Are we for renewal, or rural decay,” moaned Cllr Christy O’Sullivan (Ind).

Cllr Dan Fleming (FF) said he had seen some fine examples where old barns and lofts have been converted in a beautiful fashion and said such developments should be encouraged.

County manager Maurice Moloney claimed that more than 2,000 one-off houses were approved by the local authority last year. “In the last month I’ve seen at least six refusals from Bord Pleanala for houses granted by the council. It’s wrong to give the impression they’re all being refused by us. The only people coming to you (the councillors) are the ones dissatisfied with the council,” Mr Moloney said.

Cllr Crowley had the last word. He said he wasn’t happy with the situation and wanted the council to embrace a rural regeneration project.

“Fortunately, we’re an island nation, and a lot of houses would have views of the sea,” Cllr Crowley added.