This article is from page 10 of the 2008-06-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE proposed move by Clare County Council to contravene its own Devel- opment Plan and facilitate an Ennis businessman to build a one-off home in the countryside has prompted someone else to seek similar treat- ment.
Last month, the council signalled its intention to grant planning per- mission to Gerry Danagher to build a home at Ballycullinan by disregard- ing its non-local rule and overturning the County Development Plan.
Now, Mark Rutledge of Whitehall, Dublin 9, is seeking that the coun- cil instigate a similar process to al- low him to build a one-off home on the fringes of the Burren at Roxton, Corofin.
In a submission as part of the ma- terial contravention process for Mr Danagher, Mr Roxton has told the council, “I have no connection, either personally or professionally with Mr DEE toe
“T have taken the opportunity to review the planning file and, on the basis of what I saw, I believe this
application deserves consideration for the granting of planning despite materially contravening the County Development Plan.
“I would like to use this opportu- nity to seek similar consideration for my own planning situation with the council. I believe that remedying my planning situation would materially contravene the County Development Plan 2005-11.
“My wife and I purchased a 10-acre site in Roxton, Corofin in May 1999; the land came with outline planning permission. Full planning permis-
sion was received in November 2003, cognisant of the fact that planning expired at the end of 2003.
‘For a variety of reasons, only the basic site clearance and foundation was accomplished at that time. I was working on regularising my situation with respect to the lapsed planning when I was served with an author- ised development.
‘No further works have been under- taken on the site since that notice. I have not applied for planning permis- sion or retention since because under the terms of the County Development
Plan, my application would be reject- ed due to the fact that I would not be deemed a local rural person or living in the area under pressure at least for 10 years. I am seeking consideration material contravention of the County Development Plan due to the fact that my eligibility for planning changed between the previous and the current county development plan.
“IT would appreciate a response to this letter and the possibility of working out a solution that would provide a satisfactory outcome to all parties.”