‘Planners should talk to councillors’

A Mayo councillor has said planners often do not know the background to planning applications and should work with councillors when making decisions.

“There needs to be emphasis on who is applying for planning and why, because I can’t understand why some applications are objected to and why do planners ask for further information if it is then still refused. It is so unfair," Cllr John O'Malley told last week's meeting of Mayo County Council. "I have a situation with somebody looking to build a house that I think should have been granted. This young man was hoping he would help out his brother who is disabled by getting this house built. I think the planners did not know that. Maybe planners would contact a local councillor and ask do you know anything about this application because I could have explained this situation and I think planning should be granted; so things like that are happening that should not be happening.”