THE CARLOW county manager has denied any planning irregularities at the council after it emerged that it is to be investigated by the Department of the Environment.
It is one of a number of councils where planning issues will be examined in a review process being set up by the department in the coming weeks.
The move was sparked by an official audit of the council by the Department of the Environment’s local government audit service as well as complaints received by the department about planning at the council.
Among the issues raised by the 2008 audit which was given to the county manager last month were: corporate governance issues within the planning department; the use of special development contributions; planning time being extended at quarries; planning enforcement and safeguarding assets.
It also looked at planning issues relating to the main drainage scheme in Carlow.
County manager Tom Barry yesterday said he was “quite comfortable” with the contents of the audit. Mr Barry also denied that there were planning irregularities at the council.
He accepted that the council needed to pay attention to the corporate governance concerns. The council had responded by completely reviewing best practice and compliance of corporate governance standards, he said.
A settled High Court action which has caused financial difficulties for the council was one of the main issues examined by the audit report, he said.
Mr Barry accepted that the case had caused cash-flow problems but said they were ones the council could manage.
The 2008 case concerned a tiny parcel of land which was not owned by the council but was needed to finish the Carlow eastern bypass.
The settlement was more than €11 million, according to the audit. This left the council €3.5 million out of pocket with the rest being made up by future development agreements.
Mr Barry said he was “aware of” complaints to the Department of the Environment concerning planning at the county.
Carlow Green TD and Minister for Equality Mary White said that when she was a councillor, she had been contacted by constituents who had concerns about planning irregularities, such as planning guidelines not being enforced and planning permission being granted on flood-plains.
Mr Barry said he was aware of the observations as referred to by Ms White but was “satisfied that decisions complied with policies”.
Ms White said she was “relieved” that the investigation was being launched. She wanted to see an “open, fair and transparent” planning system in her country. The review was “in the best interest” of the Carlow people and in the interests of Carlow County Council’s integrity. Ms White was a member of Carlow County Council up until 2007.
The audit report is due to be discussed at a meeting of the county council in two weeks’ time.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label carlow planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carlow planning. Show all posts
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Carlow Local Area Plans - Carlow County Council
Submissions in respect of the following Draft Local Area Plans must be submitted by the 3rd of March. Contact bps on 087 2615871 to discuss.
Borris Draft Local Area Plan
Bagenalstown / Muinebheag Draft Local Area Plan
Leighlinbridge Draft Local Area Plan
Rathvilly Draft Local Area Plan
Tinnahinch Draft Local Area Plan
Tullow Draft Local Area Plan
bps planning consultants
www.buckplanning.ie
Borris Draft Local Area Plan
Bagenalstown / Muinebheag Draft Local Area Plan
Leighlinbridge Draft Local Area Plan
Rathvilly Draft Local Area Plan
Tinnahinch Draft Local Area Plan
Tullow Draft Local Area Plan
bps planning consultants
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 28 September 2009
Large-scale €18m Carlow arts centre opens
A NEW arts centre has opened to the public in Carlow.
The Visual Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre is a 40,000sq ft complex which the management claimed “will rank among the best international cultural spaces”.
The €18 million building contains four galleries, which will be used to stage temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, and a 353-seat theatre, which will host touring productions and also be used for local amateur and professional groups.
Managers said that the main gallery “is without precedent in Ireland” as its size will allow the display of “large-scale contemporary art installations”.
The inaugural temporary exhibitions include The Weight of Light: Irish Abstraction, featuring work by artists Sean Scully, Charles Tyrell, Maud Cotter and others.
The complex is expected to become a significant component of the national cultural infrastructure. Arts Council director Mary Cloake described it as “a superb, imaginatively conceived arts centre”.
The Visual Centre is the second major cultural centre to be built in the southeast this decade following the construction of the new Wexford Opera House.
The centre is located in the grounds of St Patrick’s College and was designed by London-based architect Terry Pawson.
For further details see www.visualcarlow.ie
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Visual Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre is a 40,000sq ft complex which the management claimed “will rank among the best international cultural spaces”.
The €18 million building contains four galleries, which will be used to stage temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, and a 353-seat theatre, which will host touring productions and also be used for local amateur and professional groups.
Managers said that the main gallery “is without precedent in Ireland” as its size will allow the display of “large-scale contemporary art installations”.
The inaugural temporary exhibitions include The Weight of Light: Irish Abstraction, featuring work by artists Sean Scully, Charles Tyrell, Maud Cotter and others.
The complex is expected to become a significant component of the national cultural infrastructure. Arts Council director Mary Cloake described it as “a superb, imaginatively conceived arts centre”.
The Visual Centre is the second major cultural centre to be built in the southeast this decade following the construction of the new Wexford Opera House.
The centre is located in the grounds of St Patrick’s College and was designed by London-based architect Terry Pawson.
For further details see www.visualcarlow.ie
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Green light for €125m shopping development in Carlow
Developer Eamon Duignan and his business partners have been given the go-ahead for a €125m shopping centre in Carlow that is expected to create 400 jobs during the construction phase. The scheme will involve the redevelopment of the Penneys site in the town, and the low-cost clothing retailer is to operate a shop at the redeveloped centre.
Planning was granted for the development despite the fact that An Bord Pleanala's inspector recommended it be refused on the basis that it would "be prejudicial to public health".
However, the board overruled that recommendation, stating that the site was zoned own-centre and therefore it was an appropriate form of development.
"In deciding not to accept the inspector's recommendation to refuse permission, the board considered
that the proposed development was in line with the policies set out in the current Carlow Town Development Plan, that it would
not be appropriate to
refuse permission for reasons of prematurity and that it would have a positive impact overall on the environment of Hanover Park," it stated.
Duignan will now be able to construct more than 62,000 square metres of shops, offices and apartments on the site of nearly seven acres. DTZ Sherry FitzGerald will let the new centre on behalf of the developer who has numerous retail interests.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning was granted for the development despite the fact that An Bord Pleanala's inspector recommended it be refused on the basis that it would "be prejudicial to public health".
However, the board overruled that recommendation, stating that the site was zoned own-centre and therefore it was an appropriate form of development.
"In deciding not to accept the inspector's recommendation to refuse permission, the board considered
that the proposed development was in line with the policies set out in the current Carlow Town Development Plan, that it would
not be appropriate to
refuse permission for reasons of prematurity and that it would have a positive impact overall on the environment of Hanover Park," it stated.
Duignan will now be able to construct more than 62,000 square metres of shops, offices and apartments on the site of nearly seven acres. DTZ Sherry FitzGerald will let the new centre on behalf of the developer who has numerous retail interests.
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 17 March 2008
Serial objectors are keeping Bagenalstown in the Stone Age says Kiely
Building development in Bagenalstown is so strangled by serial objectors' that the town should be gated off to the outside world.That was the rather outrageous suggestion made by Cllr. Paddy Kiely at the last meeting of the Local Representatives.
Building development in Bagenalstown is so strangled by serial objectors' that the town should be gated off to the outside world.
That was the rather outrageous suggestion made by Cllr. Paddy Kiely at the last meeting of the Local Representatives.
Let's just put up gates at the entrances to the town so that we can all sleep here,' he said. This is just a dormer town.'
In the week when an Bord Planéala finally made a decision on whether to allow supermarket giants Lidl set up in Bagenalstown, Cllr. Kiely hit out against what the lack of new businesses coming to Bagenalsown.
Comparing his town to Tullow, the Cllr. said that Tullow was light years' ahead of Bagenalstown, which was stuck in the Stone Age because of serial objectors.'
Is it who you are in Bagenalstown that matters?' he asked. Certain people can build what they like. Others put in for planning permission, and lo and behold, others object. Tullow don't have a watchdog breathing over them.' He continued that new businesses won't move into the town because of those who object to planning permission.
Cllr. Liam O'Brien said that he was wary of Cllr. Kiely using the meeting as a forum for talking up Tullow and talking down Bagenalstown.'
This, Cllr. Kiely hotly refuted by saying, I never ran down Bagenalstown. Local people talk about what Tullow has, they make the comparison.'
He said that Bagenalstown has no hotels or no new shops because serial objectors have a strangle-hold on the town.'
Cllr. Margaret Cushen referred to An Bord Planéala by saying that it's an independent body which makes up its own mind about whether planning is suitable for a town or not.
Cllr. Kiely replied to this by stating that Cllr. Cushen is a member of Bagenalstown Improvement Group and that she defended planning objectors on her soapbox.' He referred to the members of Bagenalstown Improvement Group as well- heeled people living in their ivory towers.
Carlow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Building development in Bagenalstown is so strangled by serial objectors' that the town should be gated off to the outside world.
That was the rather outrageous suggestion made by Cllr. Paddy Kiely at the last meeting of the Local Representatives.
Let's just put up gates at the entrances to the town so that we can all sleep here,' he said. This is just a dormer town.'
In the week when an Bord Planéala finally made a decision on whether to allow supermarket giants Lidl set up in Bagenalstown, Cllr. Kiely hit out against what the lack of new businesses coming to Bagenalsown.
Comparing his town to Tullow, the Cllr. said that Tullow was light years' ahead of Bagenalstown, which was stuck in the Stone Age because of serial objectors.'
Is it who you are in Bagenalstown that matters?' he asked. Certain people can build what they like. Others put in for planning permission, and lo and behold, others object. Tullow don't have a watchdog breathing over them.' He continued that new businesses won't move into the town because of those who object to planning permission.
Cllr. Liam O'Brien said that he was wary of Cllr. Kiely using the meeting as a forum for talking up Tullow and talking down Bagenalstown.'
This, Cllr. Kiely hotly refuted by saying, I never ran down Bagenalstown. Local people talk about what Tullow has, they make the comparison.'
He said that Bagenalstown has no hotels or no new shops because serial objectors have a strangle-hold on the town.'
Cllr. Margaret Cushen referred to An Bord Planéala by saying that it's an independent body which makes up its own mind about whether planning is suitable for a town or not.
Cllr. Kiely replied to this by stating that Cllr. Cushen is a member of Bagenalstown Improvement Group and that she defended planning objectors on her soapbox.' He referred to the members of Bagenalstown Improvement Group as well- heeled people living in their ivory towers.
Carlow People
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 29 December 2007
Mansion and gardens given to the State
A centuries-old stately home along with one of the country's finest gardens has been bequeathed to the State.
The stunning Altamont House and Gardens, in Co Carlow, was left to the Irish people by its late owner Corona North, the Government said yesterday.
The 96-acre estate outside Tullow includes a mansion dating back to around 1720 and formal and informal gardens reputed to be among the most romantic in Ireland.
Heritage Minister John Gormley said the donation was a wonderful act of generosity by Ms North, who died in 1999.
"It will be a lasting legacy to her memory," Mr Gormley said.
Brian Hutton
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The stunning Altamont House and Gardens, in Co Carlow, was left to the Irish people by its late owner Corona North, the Government said yesterday.
The 96-acre estate outside Tullow includes a mansion dating back to around 1720 and formal and informal gardens reputed to be among the most romantic in Ireland.
Heritage Minister John Gormley said the donation was a wonderful act of generosity by Ms North, who died in 1999.
"It will be a lasting legacy to her memory," Mr Gormley said.
Brian Hutton
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Residents furious as plan gets go-ahead
FENAGH residents were left reeling this week after planning permission for 15 houses was granted despite an expert assessment that "planning permission be refused".
Tonight (Wednesday, November 21) they will meet to discuss why Carlow County Council's director of services overruled the planning official's decision and how they can appeal the granted application.
"The area is already overdeveloped. We've gone from a small village of 45 houses to over 200 being planned or built. Speaking to local schools they tell you that they would not be able to cope with another influx of students from new Fenagh residents," said Kevin Kennedy, chair of Fenagh Improvement Group who is puzzled as to why planning was given the go-ahead.
"There are not enough facilities and no provision has been made to build them. Social problems will arise from this if it goes ahead - but isn't an ounce of prevention now better than letting it happen and trying to find a cure in the future?
"We're reduced to holding our meetings in a pub because other facilities just don't exist."
Six lengthy objections to the construction were also made by local residents within the planner's report. "The development would be injurious to the village of Fenagh,"said one. "It is totally out of character with the existing village and its listed and protected structures," said another. "Currently there are no proper facilities for bus stops, road signs and pedestrian crossings," one objection stated.
But the county council granted planning this week, rejecting the executive planning advice, after an alternative way for planning to be granted was outlined by the director of services and accepted by the County Manager.
A spokesperson for the county council planning division said the executive planner was legitimately overruled by the director of services who could find ways to accept planning based on conditions.
"It is not uncommon for the director of services to overrule the executive planner. It happens more than once a year, and the director of services has that right, according to the Planning Act 2000, and found reason to do so," said the spokesperson.
"In this case the overruling was authorised by the County Manager."
Fenagh residents will meet tonight in the Hunter's Rest, Fenagh to discuss the implications of the planning and the possibility of approaching An Bord Pleanla.
Cornelia Lucey
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Tonight (Wednesday, November 21) they will meet to discuss why Carlow County Council's director of services overruled the planning official's decision and how they can appeal the granted application.
"The area is already overdeveloped. We've gone from a small village of 45 houses to over 200 being planned or built. Speaking to local schools they tell you that they would not be able to cope with another influx of students from new Fenagh residents," said Kevin Kennedy, chair of Fenagh Improvement Group who is puzzled as to why planning was given the go-ahead.
"There are not enough facilities and no provision has been made to build them. Social problems will arise from this if it goes ahead - but isn't an ounce of prevention now better than letting it happen and trying to find a cure in the future?
"We're reduced to holding our meetings in a pub because other facilities just don't exist."
Six lengthy objections to the construction were also made by local residents within the planner's report. "The development would be injurious to the village of Fenagh,"said one. "It is totally out of character with the existing village and its listed and protected structures," said another. "Currently there are no proper facilities for bus stops, road signs and pedestrian crossings," one objection stated.
But the county council granted planning this week, rejecting the executive planning advice, after an alternative way for planning to be granted was outlined by the director of services and accepted by the County Manager.
A spokesperson for the county council planning division said the executive planner was legitimately overruled by the director of services who could find ways to accept planning based on conditions.
"It is not uncommon for the director of services to overrule the executive planner. It happens more than once a year, and the director of services has that right, according to the Planning Act 2000, and found reason to do so," said the spokesperson.
"In this case the overruling was authorised by the County Manager."
Fenagh residents will meet tonight in the Hunter's Rest, Fenagh to discuss the implications of the planning and the possibility of approaching An Bord Pleanla.
Cornelia Lucey
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Residents furious as plan gets go-ahead
FENAGH residents were left reeling this week after planning permission for 15 houses was granted despite an expert assessment that "planning permission be refused".
Tonight (Wednesday, November 21) they will meet to discuss why Carlow County Council's director of services overruled the planning official's decision and how they can appeal the granted application.
"The area is already overdeveloped. We've gone from a small village of 45 houses to over 200 being planned or built. Speaking to local schools they tell you that they would not be able to cope with another influx of students from new Fenagh residents," said Kevin Kennedy, chair of Fenagh Improvement Group who is puzzled as to why planning was given the go-ahead.
"There are not enough facilities and no provision has been made to build them. Social problems will arise from this if it goes ahead - but isn't an ounce of prevention now better than letting it happen and trying to find a cure in the future?
"We're reduced to holding our meetings in a pub because other facilities just don't exist."
Six lengthy objections to the construction were also made by local residents within the planner's report. "The development would be injurious to the village of Fenagh,"said one. "It is totally out of character with the existing village and its listed and protected structures," said another. "Currently there are no proper facilities for bus stops, road signs and pedestrian crossings," one objection stated.
But the county council granted planning this week, rejecting the executive planning advice, after an alternative way for planning to be granted was outlined by the director of services and accepted by the County Manager.
A spokesperson for the county council planning division said the executive planner was legitimately overruled by the director of services who could find ways to accept planning based on conditions.
"It is not uncommon for the director of services to overrule the executive planner. It happens more than once a year, and the director of services has that right, according to the Planning Act 2000, and found reason to do so," said the spokesperson.
"In this case the overruling was authorised by the County Manager."
Fenagh residents will meet tonight in the Hunter's Rest, Fenagh to discuss the implications of the planning and the possibility of approaching An Bord Pleanla.
Cornelia Lucey
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Tonight (Wednesday, November 21) they will meet to discuss why Carlow County Council's director of services overruled the planning official's decision and how they can appeal the granted application.
"The area is already overdeveloped. We've gone from a small village of 45 houses to over 200 being planned or built. Speaking to local schools they tell you that they would not be able to cope with another influx of students from new Fenagh residents," said Kevin Kennedy, chair of Fenagh Improvement Group who is puzzled as to why planning was given the go-ahead.
"There are not enough facilities and no provision has been made to build them. Social problems will arise from this if it goes ahead - but isn't an ounce of prevention now better than letting it happen and trying to find a cure in the future?
"We're reduced to holding our meetings in a pub because other facilities just don't exist."
Six lengthy objections to the construction were also made by local residents within the planner's report. "The development would be injurious to the village of Fenagh,"said one. "It is totally out of character with the existing village and its listed and protected structures," said another. "Currently there are no proper facilities for bus stops, road signs and pedestrian crossings," one objection stated.
But the county council granted planning this week, rejecting the executive planning advice, after an alternative way for planning to be granted was outlined by the director of services and accepted by the County Manager.
A spokesperson for the county council planning division said the executive planner was legitimately overruled by the director of services who could find ways to accept planning based on conditions.
"It is not uncommon for the director of services to overrule the executive planner. It happens more than once a year, and the director of services has that right, according to the Planning Act 2000, and found reason to do so," said the spokesperson.
"In this case the overruling was authorised by the County Manager."
Fenagh residents will meet tonight in the Hunter's Rest, Fenagh to discuss the implications of the planning and the possibility of approaching An Bord Pleanla.
Cornelia Lucey
Carlow Nationalist
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 1 June 2007
Rainwater being harvested in new housing development
The housing development at Milford Park in Ballinabranagh is being used for an interesting pilot scheme involving harvestable rainwater.
Three control houses are being monitored for water use at the moment, while three new rainwater harvesting facilities are being installed in a further three houses, with three more planned by the end of the year.
The main aims of the project are to quantify the amount of harvestable rainwater in an Irish location, and to quantify the water savings from same.
The project will also help develop water conservation measures to reduce the demand in rural group water schemes.
While harvested rainwater is not suitable for drinking, it can be used for flushing toilets, watering gardens and and washing laundry.
This week Cllr. Rody Kelly welcomed the project and said that he cannot wait for the results of the tests.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Mary White also welcomed the measure, and saw it as a positive step in the face of climate change.
Water is going to be our most precious resource because of climate change. Parts of the South East will be arid by 2015 if we don't do something now,' she said.
Cllr. Joe MacDonald however said that people needed to be educated about rainwater harvesting. I have two plastic drums full of rainwater, that I use on my flowers and gardens. It's all about education. I don't think it's new or super technology or anything,' he said.
The results of the project will be available in a few months time, when they will be presented to both the planning and environment SPC's of the Council.
© Carlow People
Three control houses are being monitored for water use at the moment, while three new rainwater harvesting facilities are being installed in a further three houses, with three more planned by the end of the year.
The main aims of the project are to quantify the amount of harvestable rainwater in an Irish location, and to quantify the water savings from same.
The project will also help develop water conservation measures to reduce the demand in rural group water schemes.
While harvested rainwater is not suitable for drinking, it can be used for flushing toilets, watering gardens and and washing laundry.
This week Cllr. Rody Kelly welcomed the project and said that he cannot wait for the results of the tests.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Mary White also welcomed the measure, and saw it as a positive step in the face of climate change.
Water is going to be our most precious resource because of climate change. Parts of the South East will be arid by 2015 if we don't do something now,' she said.
Cllr. Joe MacDonald however said that people needed to be educated about rainwater harvesting. I have two plastic drums full of rainwater, that I use on my flowers and gardens. It's all about education. I don't think it's new or super technology or anything,' he said.
The results of the project will be available in a few months time, when they will be presented to both the planning and environment SPC's of the Council.
© Carlow People
Carlow farmers may be wiped out
A Carlow County Councillor has predicted that there will be no farmers left in the county in the next ten years, as fewer young people farm the land.
Cllr. Tom Kinsella said that the recent election canvass trail has thrown up a depressing observation of the farming community.
It's hard to find one full time farmer under the age of 50 in Carlow,' he said, adding that there didn't appear to be any interest at Government level about the dwindling number of small farms.
There are more rules and regulations in farming all the time. If you have one hen you have to have it registered. One cow, and you have to have it tagged. I don't think there are as many regulations for humans,' he said.
We have already lost the best industry we had with beet production. Farmers can't sell sheep in Ireland any more. They are importing sheep from Brazil and selling it as Irish.'
There won't be any farmers in Carlow in a few years,' Cllr. Kinsella said.
© Carlow People
Cllr. Tom Kinsella said that the recent election canvass trail has thrown up a depressing observation of the farming community.
It's hard to find one full time farmer under the age of 50 in Carlow,' he said, adding that there didn't appear to be any interest at Government level about the dwindling number of small farms.
There are more rules and regulations in farming all the time. If you have one hen you have to have it registered. One cow, and you have to have it tagged. I don't think there are as many regulations for humans,' he said.
We have already lost the best industry we had with beet production. Farmers can't sell sheep in Ireland any more. They are importing sheep from Brazil and selling it as Irish.'
There won't be any farmers in Carlow in a few years,' Cllr. Kinsella said.
© Carlow People
Friday, 16 March 2007
Issue of planning objections debated
'Professional objectors' are objecting to developments in Bagenalstown inhibiting progress, Bagenalstown Town Council heard last week.
A discussion about the overhang at the new credit union quickly veered off topic at last week's meeting of Bagenalstown Town Council when Cllr. Paddy Kiely said that when it came to planning in Bagenalstown some people got it and other people didn't.
Cllr. Margaret Cushen however pointed out that it was the right of everyone to make submissions.
'I never said they were not entitled to but you have professional objectors objecting in Bagenalstown. All the latest objectors are members of Bagenalstown Environmental Association (BEA).
'These are certain individuals who are objecting the whole time. They ran Niall Quinn, a international footballer who could have put Bagenalstown on the map, out of town.'
Trying to bring order to the proceedings Cathaoirleach Margaret Cushen said 'this is not part of what we are meant to be discussing'.
However Cllr. Denis Foley continued on in the same vein as Cllr. Kiely. 'We are going to lose a hotel for Bagenalstown now [because An Bord Pleanala refused permission] and section 23 is gone too. A hotel is a long-term investment. I wanted it for the town and now we are not going to get it.
'Other developments in the town are in jeopardy too. We can put gates and locks at each end of the town and say developers are not welcome. We are not developing the way we should be.'
Cllr. John Clarke asked Cllr. Cushen, who is a member of the BEA, if it put her in an awkward position.
'I have no problem with being a member and will continue to be a member.'
Cllr. Kiely however was not appeased. 'These people are unconstitutional. We are under threat from them. I was talking to one developer who said he was moving to Tullow while another said if you wanted permission in Bagenalstown from Carlow County Council you had to have a meeting with the BEA first.'
Cllr. Cushen said An Bord Pleanala were a totally independent body and once submissions were made to them they sent an independent inspector to the site and made up their own mind.
© Carlow People
A discussion about the overhang at the new credit union quickly veered off topic at last week's meeting of Bagenalstown Town Council when Cllr. Paddy Kiely said that when it came to planning in Bagenalstown some people got it and other people didn't.
Cllr. Margaret Cushen however pointed out that it was the right of everyone to make submissions.
'I never said they were not entitled to but you have professional objectors objecting in Bagenalstown. All the latest objectors are members of Bagenalstown Environmental Association (BEA).
'These are certain individuals who are objecting the whole time. They ran Niall Quinn, a international footballer who could have put Bagenalstown on the map, out of town.'
Trying to bring order to the proceedings Cathaoirleach Margaret Cushen said 'this is not part of what we are meant to be discussing'.
However Cllr. Denis Foley continued on in the same vein as Cllr. Kiely. 'We are going to lose a hotel for Bagenalstown now [because An Bord Pleanala refused permission] and section 23 is gone too. A hotel is a long-term investment. I wanted it for the town and now we are not going to get it.
'Other developments in the town are in jeopardy too. We can put gates and locks at each end of the town and say developers are not welcome. We are not developing the way we should be.'
Cllr. John Clarke asked Cllr. Cushen, who is a member of the BEA, if it put her in an awkward position.
'I have no problem with being a member and will continue to be a member.'
Cllr. Kiely however was not appeased. 'These people are unconstitutional. We are under threat from them. I was talking to one developer who said he was moving to Tullow while another said if you wanted permission in Bagenalstown from Carlow County Council you had to have a meeting with the BEA first.'
Cllr. Cushen said An Bord Pleanala were a totally independent body and once submissions were made to them they sent an independent inspector to the site and made up their own mind.
© Carlow People
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