AN TAISCE CALLS FOR REVIEW OF COUNTY COUNCIL'S PLANNING DECISIONS

Date Published: 16-Apr-2012

An Taisce is calling for an independent review of Galway County Council's planning decisions.

The County Council is one of nine local authorities to fail a new report into its record of planning decisions and environmental policy.

An Taisce, which carried out this study, says the publication of the Mahon report has seen renewed calls for investigations into the planning matters of local authorities.

It measures decision making by councils, over-zoning and oversupply, protection of water quality and development sprawl.

Others ranked as the worst performers by the national trust include Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Kerry, Mayo, Cavan, Carlow and Waterford County Councils.

Meanwhile the city council has been ranked in third place for its planning performance with a grade of 70 percent.

Although no council scored an A or B, Galway city was one of four to achieve a C grade, in third place.

Planning probes had previously been set up by John Gormley but shut down by current Environment Minister Phil Hogan.

Spokesperson for An Taisce, Charles Stanley Smith says An Taisce is now calling for an independent review into planning irregularities at Galway County Council.