Sir, - I must express my grave disappointment at the way that planning authorities in the west of Ireland have been allowed to destroy some of your country's most beautiful towns and countryside.
I am a frequent visitor to Ireland and have always been attracted by its unspoilt lush countryside. My own home country of Spain has so much in common with Ireland, particularly its very important tourist industry.
In Spain we made some horrendous mistakes in the past, mainly on the Costa del Sol, where hotels and houses were erected without any proper planning, causing gross environmental damage. Now property owners are being compelled to demolish many buildings which should never have been erected in the first place. It is now accepted that much of this came about because of corrupt politicians and council authorities.
My holidays are regularly spent in the town of Westport, Co Mayo, which was a planned masterpiece of its day. However, the planning authorities have succeeded in slowly destroying Westport and Achill by indiscriminate building of houses and factories. Who permitted the erection of a carpet warehouse on the brow of a hill approaching Westport on the Castlebar Road? The brow of that hill affords magnificent views of Clew Bay, but is now destroyed as far as the tourist is concerned!
A new hotel has just been built in Westport. It is well appointed and on a good site, but its frontage overlooks an industrial estate. Private housing schemes at Westport Harbour have mushroomed on hilltops which should be free of any buildings to allow uninterrupted views, but sadly they have now gone too.
A visit to Ashleigh Falls will give any sane person an insight into planning lunacy. Local authorities have allowed a house to be built behind and overlooking the falls. To see the falls as they should be, one has now to buy a postcard. Sad! - Yours, etc.,
Pasco Maritino, Ibiza, Spain.