Kerry councillors have passed a controversial planning policy, which could see planners and engineers face criminal prosecution.
The policy will no longer allow a person to be refused planning permission for a house that has an existing family entrance onto a national road.
It was backed unanimously by the council, despite executives raising concerns over safety and the potential for legal action.
Senior planner Tom Sheehy stressed that council officials could face prosecution if they were to grant permission for a scheme which creates a traffic hazard.
Officials suggested half of all injury accidents occur at junctions where a motorist is taking a right turn.
They said granting permission to an applicant off a main route would increase traffic movement and pose a serious safety risk.
It was also suggested that the planning appeals board and national policy would uphold safety concerns.
Councillor Paul O'Donoghue argued that taxpayers will ultimately suffer from the new policy. He said if a claim was success against the council, liability compensation would be paid out of public funds.
"We are reflecting the wishes of the National Roads Authority but we are reflecting the wishes of the people who elected us. There's a thing called right and wrong and we're doing nothing out of the way," said Councillor Michael Healy Rae.
County Manager Tom Curran told councillors: "We are making a nonsense of the whole system by not taking cognisance of national policy. We have granted far more planning permissions in this county than population increases demanded. Do ye want a free-for-all?" the manager asked.
Councillors agreed to amend the objective by inserting the words "where safety permits", which was unanimously supported by way of vote.
(PR/BMcC)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
03/05/2024
Construction work has commenced on a new £9 million build at Rowandale Integrated Primary School in Moira. Funding from the Fresh Start Programme will facilitate the establishment of a new, modern primary school, with 14 classrooms and a nursery unit capable of accommodating over 340 ...
03/05/2024
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. together with Leas Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, has opened the Greencastle Harbour Breakwater. The 270-metre Breakwater aims to improve the protection of vessels in the harbour against wave ...
03/05/2024
NI Water has initiated a £3.5 million improvement programme at Newcastle Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW). Murphy Dawson Wam JV is undertaking the project, which focuses on improving the three-stage treatment process at the current facility. This will entail installing new filtration gear and a ...
03/05/2024
Bennett Construction has announced that it has achieved Practical Completion (PC) on the Tristan Square Development in Chapelizod, Dublin. The project includes the construction of 180 social and affordable apartments split in to one, two and three bed homes over three blocks. Each of the units are ...
03/05/2024
SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland have revealed that Microsoft has committed to a lengthy Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with the co-developers. This agreement will inject 30MW of wind energy into Ireland's power grid through the recently launched Lenalea Wind Farm, located near ...
03/05/2024
Farrans has announced that it has collected three awards, including one Gold, at the Considerate Constructor Scheme's National Awards. The CCS National Awards honour outstanding sites, organisations and people who show exceptional commitment to the Code of Considerate Practice in Community, ...
03/05/2024
County Down headquartered GRAHAM has started construction work on a new £59 million low-carbon development in Edinburgh. The Burnet Point scheme in Abbey Lane which combines student flats, build-to-rent and affordable homes is the first-ever mixed-use residential development of its kind by Unite ...
03/05/2024
Alliance's Housing spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong MLA, has welcomed the NI Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) commitment to reduce carbon emissions in social homes and combat climate change. Housing associations are currently in the process of developing a scheme set to launch this autumn. ...
03/05/2024
Fibrus has announced that it has exceeded its 80,000 customer milestone, as it gains over 50,000 customers in just one year. The broadband provider burst on to the scene to transform the digital infrastructure of rural and regional areas of Northern Ireland and has shaken up the market due to its ...
03/05/2024
Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, has announced his support for the 'No Mow May' approach to help promote biodiversity on the roadside during this month. The Department for Infrastructure oversees the maintenance of 45,000km of grass verges along the road network. In recent years, it has been ...