The planning crisis in Kerry is worse than a year ago, despite changes to the county's development plan to ease permission for locals to build in rural areas, councillors claimed yesterday.
Seven Section-4 motions and one material contravention of the county plan were voted through at a council meeting, overturning refusals and objections by council planners and directing the county manager to grant permission.
Many of the Section-4s were for houses in some of Kerry's most scenic spots, in prominent positions on the Ring of Kerry, and on the Conor Pass.
They had been refused by Kerry County Council. At least one bungalow voted through yesterday is in a designated conservation area and some others were in areas of amenity.
Defending their decisions, councillors said the number of refusals was "staggering" and the houses were being sought for local families.