Gormley overturns house re-zonings in Monaghan

Minister for Environment John Gormley has utilised a rarely-used power to overturn a string of land re-zonings approved by Monaghan County Council.

Mr Gormley has ordered the council to change its county development plan, which he says is not in the interest of proper and sustainable planning.

The document, which was approved against the recommendation of the council's planners, included housing re-zonings to cater for a potential population increase of 182% over a six-year period.

The minister's intervention means the council will now have to revert to the draft development plan drawn up by its planners last year.