Elected representatives in Dundalk have blasted a developer's decision to demolishing an old stone wall in Mill Street.

Councillors accused the developer of 'flouting' planning guidelines during a debate in the town council chamber.

Local residents had contacted councillor Martin Bellew to vent their fury over the issue.

Mr Bellew said the people were "grossly annoyed" that the hundreds of years old wall had been removed.

He recounted that there had been two planning applications in relation to the site.

-- Advertisement --

The first had been granted by the council and refused by An Bord Pleanala while the second had been refused by the council.

Mr Bellew said it was his understanding that the time for making an appeal had closed the previous day.

He said the developer ignored his calls to suspend the demolition until the matter was put before council officials.

"A lot of people were very annoyed that this happened at a weekend when they couldn't contact council officials," said Mr Bellew.

He lauded council officials for acting promptly once the matter was brought to their attention.

"It should go out from this chamber that Dundalk Town Council is not in the business of letting people knock down stone walls that are part of our heritage," said the councillor.

He said that under the development plan, a developer should consult with the planners before removing a stone wall or hedgerow.

(PR/BMcC)