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.

The system is totally unfair and should be changed to help young couples and those anxious to build a family home for themselves.

Planning laws treat major and minor developments similarly.

The process should be simplified for minor developments.

Planning authorities should be given the discretion to dispense with some of the regulations and to accept simplified documentation and procedures for such developments.

The sooner this happens, the better.

Cllr Noel Collins,

St Jude’s,

Midleton,

Co Cork.