Invalid Planning Applications: Cllr. Leyden welcomed the inclusion of invalid planning application figures contained in the monthly Management Report and expressed the hope these figures will decrease in coming weeks.

The Chief Executive said that Roscommon County Council’s planning process is completely transparent.  In the case of poor quality applications, such applications are likely to be considered as invalid. While the Local Authority wished to see success in the rate of planning applications being approved, applications must reach an acceptable standard and must be publicly accountable.

The members discussed as follows:

·         It is desirable invalidations fall from the current level of 26% and stressed the importance of dialogue between agents and applicants with the planning section.

·         Members urged applications received must be robust to scrutiny and cautioned against any relaxation against planning laws.

·         Fears were expressed over potential investment being lost to the county due to the high invalidation rate.

·         Assessments should be carried out to determine reasons for invalidation, particularly where there are minor deficits in the application, which could, it was suggested, be resolved by a phone call.

·         It was suggested agents and planning office personnel would engage in an open day  meeting for agents in efforts to decrease invalidations.

·         The Council should be giving a message that the county is open for business which should be reflected in the planning process.

·         It is accepted that planning staff are doing their job property but consideration should be given to allocating staff to a pre-validation process to assess

minor issues such as fees or other challenges.

·         In light of the current circumstances and what happened in Ukraine, the Minister should be asking counties to have another look at their County Development Plan because there is an issue too with regard to planning in rural Ireland – we need to keep our schools, our GAA and sporting facilities.

Acting Director of Services Greg O’Donnell said a balance needed to be struck in terms of planning invalidations which varied from county to county. He said the national average is 15-20%. Mr. O’Donnell said where applications were invalid, there were reasons and noted agents in such cases needed to be contacted on behalf of applicants.

Responding to issues raised, the Chief Executive said the planning code was contained within the County Development Plan (CDP). He repeated his contention there were no obstacles to local economic development by means of planning constraints. Applications are granted once in compliance with the CDP. He said the Council were committed to a process of considering invalidations and said if there is demand for an ‘Open Day’ on planning, then he was willing to facilitate this.

Mr. Tiernan said appropriate steps were continually being taken on planning applications with minor issues. He said the local authority was migrating to a new E-planning system. As a result, he said, invalidations may increase but in the long-run are likely to decrease.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Waldron,

                SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins,

It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Minister and a copy to the Office of the Planning Regulator, requesting that the review of the Sustainable Rural Planning Guidelines 2005 be expedited as it is long overdue.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Kilduff

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council host a planning open day for agents and elected representatives with planning staff to discuss submission of planning documentation.

Lough Funshinagh Update: Cllr. Ward asked if a reply had been received from the Minister of Agriculture or the Minister for Finance on foot of a notice of motion he moved at a previous plenary meeting. He said his proposal sought compensation for farmers affected by flooding at Lough Funshinagh.

The meetings administrator read the reply received from the Minister of Agriculture.

Cllr. Ward stated that he was disappointed with the reply from the Minister that indicated there would be no compensation forthcoming to the farmers affected by the flooding issue. He is concerned for the future of residents and farmers affected by flooding in the area and also the fact that a number of farmers are being penalized under the single farm payment scheme.

The Members discussed the matter as follows:

·         The meeting was told current flood levels were one foot higher than in the previous period last year.

·         The meeting heard farmers are being penalised under their Single Farm Payment for using farmlands, with more leniency required from the Department.

·         The Taoiseach should be contacted to intervene with relation to compensation.

·         A further proposal for a letter be circulated to the EU Commission, also seeking intervention on behalf of local farmers was proposed by Cllr Kilduff and seconded by Cllr. Ward.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

             SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Taoiseach seeking intervention to the lack of compensation payments for the farmers of Lough Funshinagh who are affected by flooding issues since 2015.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kelly

             SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED members should receive an update on progress of the Lough Funshinagh working group after each meeting.

Responding to the concerns, Chief Executive said the expert group was fully committed to finding a flooding solution, in collaboration with the Office of Public Works (OPW). On the issue of determining baseline studies, he said the group were struggling to source consultants to do this work. He said finances to support any proposed works would be provided by the OPW.