KERRY COUNTY Council’s planning enforcement department has been asked to explain an “extra intensification of activity” which it is claimed is leading to scrutiny of windows, sheds and other structures for breaches of planning across the county.
More staff, including engineers, have been allocated to the enforcement section to carry out investigations, it has emerged.
For its part, the council says some people in Kerry continued to show “a total disregard” for planning laws and “a total disrespect for their neighbour”. They breached planning conditions or carried out unauthorised development. It also said the public had “a legal right” to submit a complaint and to have it investigated.
Planning director Michael McMahon said: “The public expect that developments in substantial breach of planning conditions are brought before a court if retention permission is not granted or remedial action taken.” It also had a duty to prevent damage to the environment.
The number of warning notices and enforcement procedures was stepped up in 2010 with additional staff allocated to the enforcement unit. Almost 700 cases of alleged breaches were investigated involving on-site investigation.
More than 300 warning and enforcement notices were sent. However, only 27 legal proceedings were taken. This is according to the 2010 annual report, which states that “some of our inhabitants show a total disregard for planning laws and a total disrespect for their neighbours”.
Councillor Danny Healy-Rae has asked for a response from the planning department. He claims the “intensification of activity” by the enforcement unit is putting people “under severe pressure”.
In response to Mr Healy-Rae’s request, the council has released figures which show that 380 complaints were received last year, about 70 more than in 2008.