Planners ‘should favour family members’

FAMILY members wishing to build houses on their own land are to be given planning permission where possible, Kerry county manager Martin Riordan said yesterday.

Problems in getting planning for one-off houses have led to ongoing controversy in Kerry and Mr Riordan has been consulting with councillors and senior officials on the issue since he was appointed last August.

At present, up to 20% of applications are turned down.