An investigation into an attempt to rezone 400 acres in Dungarvan, Co Waterford does not concern any serving council member or official, it has emerged today.

Hitting back at recent reports surrounding the bid to change the county development plan, Chairman Billy Kyne and county manager Ray O'Dwyer insisted the Garda has confirmed Waterford officials are not involved in investigations.

"In response to the alarming amount of interest concerning the recently covered Garda investigation, Waterford County Council wishes to point out that the gardaí­ have advised that this investigation does not concern any county councillors, nor any member of he council's planning staff," they said in a joint statement.

"Despite this setback, the members and staff of Waterford County Council remain committed to ongoing development and job creation within the community. We urge that this investigation be concluded as speedily as possible."

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According to the NRA an earlier plan to rezone the land - varying only slightly from the latest application - would add millions to the cost of buying the land needed to upgrade the Cork-Waterford Road. This application has since been removed from the council's website, even though all other applications are listed.

The latest plan has been opposed by Minister for the Environment John Gormley, and yesterday it was revealed that the department is to intervene. Officials are to write to Waterford County Council to make a specific request that they do not move ahead with proposed rezoning in the county development plan.

Minister Gormley claimed there has been an "excess of rezoning" in the area, with a particular focus on land zoned industrial.

He said: "I can't comment on the garda investigation. However, I and my department have had concerns going back to last year concerning some rezoning proposals, specifically the proposed rezoning of some land for industrial purposes.

"I'll be asking my department to write out and engage with Waterford County Council on this issue."

It is understood that Mr Gormley will proceed to invoke Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act - employed last year to overturn a series of rezonings ordered in Monaghan, which would have had the effect of quintupling the population of some villages - if the local authority fails to act on his request.

Gardaí last week interviewed all members of the Waterford County Council and Dungarvan Town Commissioners about their knowledge of the rezoning application. The investigation is not linked to any prior planning investigation.

(VB/JM)