Sir, - On first reading, I thought it highly irresponsible of you, and, indeed, of the council official concerned, to mention the fact that "retention is the way it normally goes", regarding action taken against unauthorised developments (Property, April 15th).
May I ask what is the point of having planning laws if we now have it from the horse's mouth, as it were, that a coach and four may be driven through them? Can we now take it that it is official policy for local authorities to turn a blind eye to illegal developments so that Jack the Lad, for example, may erect a totally intrusive and out-of-keeping monstrosity in his garden with impunity, safe in the knowledge that, whatever else, demolition is not an option? On the other hand, poor old law-abiding Joe Soap, who requested, and was refused, permission for a modest extension is looked upon as some sort of naive simpleton for not proceeding with construction, planning refusal notwithstanding? Are we to believe that the planning laws exist solely for obeisant idiots, and for providing some council officials with a fat salary for not doing what is their remit?
At the outset of this letter, I called you irresponsible; on second thoughts, perhaps you have done us a service by bringing this "nod and wink" attitude which apparently prevails out into the open. - Yours, etc.,
D. K. Henderson, Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3.