Simplify planning laws to help young couples

ANYONE refused planning permission by a local authority has little chance of winning with An Bord Pleanála because he or she does not have the resources to employ an architect, engineer or environmental health officer to get the advice needed to overturn the decision.

An Bord Pleanála, on the other hand, has the expertise of local authority engineers and others who give their reasons for refusing a planning permission.

The young couple anxious to build on the cottage acre or family holding must depend on someone who draws up plans to put together a case for them because they cannot afford professional expertise.