Bord Pleanála criticised for N26 decision

Bord PleanΡla criticised for N26 decision


Anton McNulty

THE role of An Bord PleanΡla in ruling on planning decisions for infrastructural projects  has come under increased scrutiny by the Council for the West and public representatives.
The decision by An Bord PleanΡla (ABP) to refuse permission for phase two of the N26 on environmental grounds was widely criticised with claims that it was ‘anti-rural.’ At an SPC meeting last week, Ballina councillor, Michelle Mulherin accused the Government of telling ABP to ‘go hard’ environmentally on projects because of the lack of funding while Cllr Al McDonnell claimed ABP should have no role in these decisions.
SeΡn Hannick, Chairman of the Council for the West called for a Government review of ABP on foot of the decision claiming it ‘underpins its obvious bias towards rural Ireland’.
“An Bord PleanΡla received this planning application two years ago and their refusal to this essential infrastructure has left the people of Mayo and north Mayo in particular dumbfounded. We cannot understand how the comfort of the Whopper Swans take precedence over people, industry and the business community of North Mayo/West Sligo. Deep concern is expressed in north Mayo and the West of Ireland, generally at what appears to be another ‘green agenda’. This extreme green agenda wants to relegate Rural Ireland to the donkeys and cart days,” he said.
Speaking at last week’s SPC meeting on Planning, Cllr Mulherin said the Council were devastated by the decision and called for a judicial review to be undertaken.
“I feel that the idea of environmental reasons is a red herring because no matter where you go in Mayo there are areas of a sensitive nature” she said.
Fianna FΡil councillor, Al McDonnell said he did not believe there was any political interference but he said that ABP process was ‘unpredictable’ and ‘unreasonable’, and questioned why they should play a role in project being development by statutory bodies.