Sir, – John FitzGerald expresses disappointment that the Government’s new Planning Bill “will not dramatically curtail the ability of individuals to appeal decisions where the public interest demands urgent action” (“Ireland needs strong regulation, but we have too many regulators”, Economics, Opinion, October 20th).
He then goes on to cite examples of delays in key infrastructural projects where he states “local interest trump the aim of tackling climate change”.
While there are obvious examples of self-interested “Nimbyism” in relation to certain infrastructural projects, I cannot agree with your columnist’s central argument.
If planning and development are, indeed, to serve the public interest and to promote “the proper and sustainable development of the area” as intended, then those in positions of power, such as Government, regional and local planning authorities, should comply with the spirit and the letter of the planning rules established by that same Government. However, there are all too many examples of planning authorities ignoring the policies and objectives set out in the National Planning Framework by continuing to zone unserviced lands remote from public transport and other services and then going on to approve developments in such areas.
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These decisions directly and negatively impact on people living in the area by placing further demands on existing overstretched public services. These decisions also negatively impact on the environment and on climate change.
Prof FitzGerald ends his column by speculating as to why “other EU countries do not seem to have the same problems”. I suggest that this may have something to do with those countries respecting genuine community engagement, with planning decisions being rules-based rather than developer-led. – Yours, etc,
ADRIAN CONWAY,
Kilcloon,
Co Meath.