An Taisce must use 'planning language'

The national chairman of An Taisce has warned the body's local associations to use "proper planning language" .

Frank Corcoran told the annual general meeting of the Kerry association of An Taisce in Killarney that more was expected of An Taisce than of others when making submissions on planning applications to local authorities and to An Bord Pleanala.

There had not been a problem with the Kerry association, Mr Corcoran said, and the quality of its submissions was very high.

However, referring to the incident where An Taisce unreservedly apologised to columnist Fintan O'Toole over a submission from the Clare association on the proposed extension to his house in Co Clare, Mr Corcoran said associations must "be cautious" and steer clear of emotional or exaggerated language, regardless of how strongly they felt.

"Just be careful to use the proper planning language in appeals," he said.

Workshops on planning language are to start shortly for An Taisce members, he said.

An Bord Pleanála generally was very pleased with the quality of referrals from An Taisce and 93 per cent of its appeals were upheld, he said. Submissions were written in the language of county development plans, Government policies and EU directives on habitat protection and conservation.