Waterford ‘held back by serial objector’

THE MAYOR of Waterford, Cha O’Neill, has said he is fearful for Waterford’s reputation among developers and investors as it emerged that a college lecturer is making an average of almost one observation, objection or appeal per week against proposed developments in the city.

Mr O’Neill made his comments after Waterford auctioneer Des Purcell revealed that Green Party activist Brendan McCann made 30 planning submissions to Waterford City Council during the period from January 3 to September 8. Mr McCann also lodged a number of appeals against Waterford City Council’s planning decisions to An Bord Pleanála during the same period.

The mayor said his concern is that the signal being sent to those considering investing in Waterford is a single individual has taken it on himself to act as an alternative to the planning process in a way that can create considerable delays to projects.