Even locals are refused planning in Kerry

“Locals only” does not always apply in Kerry – the county with one of the most stringent planning laws of any county, the councillor Maura Healy-Rae says.

Rural dwellers living in nearby townlands are being refused planning – and people who are not direct family members are being turned down and discouraged even at pre-planning stage, she says.

Rural planning is coming under intense scrutiny after a fellow Killarney councillor revealed the restrictions have been ruled out of order by the European Court of Justice.