*Photograph: Wind Aware Clare. 

Divine intervention would fail to suffice when it comes to planning applications in West Clare, a county councillor has claimed.

A plea to end the “discriminating practice of refusing planning permission to people because of address or geographic location” by amending the present County Development Plan was reiterated by Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council.

Director of Service, Liam Conneally stressed that “no discriminating practices exist in the Council’s exercise of the planning function and I refuse to accept the insinuation that any such practice is taking place or would even be tolerated”. He stated over 90 percent of developments in Clare are granted permission.

He added, “I wish to confirm that no amendments are being proposed to the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 (as varied), nor do I envisage that any are necessary at this time”.

Speaking on Monday, Cllr Kelly expressed his disappointment with the response, “benefit denied is discrimination”. He said that one man in Doonbeg was refused planning four times in sixteen years on different points of his land. “We have what are known as scenic routes, people cannot build between between the scenic route or the river or the Atlantic if the case may be”. Kelly stated that discrimination towards applications occurred in Ballynacally and Cahercon.

“The Lord Almighty is lucky he didn’t apply for planning permission at Mount Callan because he would have been told it was visually vulnerable,” the Lissycasey representative quipped.

Improvements and more resources regarding pre-planning are required in Clare where the landscape was described by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) as “unique”.

Kelly’s proposal was timely in the eyes of Cllr Joe Cooney (FG), “We’re supporting wind farms and wind turbines sometimes 180m high but we can’t support houses because they disrupt scenic views”. Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) and Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) all backed the motion.

Related News

34_CCC - Boat Launch_250625
Addition of €28k rescue boat a major upgrade to fleet of Clare Civil Defence
madden furniture 1
Landmark Ennis business Madden Furniture to close this month
tablet smartphone laptop 1
Man (58) in South-East Clare charged with having 1544 images of child sex abuse
alan o'callaghan conor ryan tony o'brien pat burke pat hayes 1
'We are the envy of the county' - Hayes says Killaloe MD Cllrs have best working relationship

Advertisement

Latest News
galway greyhound stadium
Double feature win for Long & Collins
micheál murray 1
Mint performance from the Murrays helps Miltown win O'Gorman Cup for second time
tablet smartphone laptop 1
Man (58) in South-East Clare charged with having 1544 images of child sex abuse
waterford v clare camogie 05-07-25 jennifer daly orla hickey 2
Waterford relievedly Rockett to last four following Clare scare
alan o'callaghan conor ryan tony o'brien pat burke pat hayes 1
'We are the envy of the county' - Hayes says Killaloe MD Cllrs have best working relationship
Premium
éire óg vs ballyea 04-07-25 david reidy paddy smyth 1
Éire Óg retain Division 2 League title in derby decider
killaloe canal 1-2
Teenage girl 'scared & angry' after boy (14) 'humped' her from behind in Killaloe
1 DSC_9129
Clare will have 'one hell of a shot' in quarter-final with Waterford - Carmody
inagh kilnamona v clonlara 05-09-21 30 kevin hehir paraic o'loughlin
Inagh/Kilnamona chase first senior title & Clonlara aim to regain silverware
east clare memorial pat hayes
Hayes accusses Tipperary councillor of spreading 'misinformation' on Killaloe to Ballina pedestrianisation

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement