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.

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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)