PropertyPeople 26% of planning applications in Roscommon have defects

Council to ‘proactively engage’ with agents as invalidation rates soar

< DAN DOONER

Addressing the recent monthly meeting of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Orla Leyden thanked the Executive for including the planning application invalidation rate in the monthly Management Report but said the high rate continued to be an issue.

Cllr Leyden also welcomed news that the Executive had noted issues around invalidations and would “proactively engage” with agents and applicants on minor defects.

Comparing Roscommon’s 26 per cent invalidation rate with neighbouring authority Mayo (3 per cent), Cllr Leyden said she hoped to see the rate decrease in coming weeks.

Responding to Cllr Leyden, Chief Executive Shane Tiernan said the planning process in Roscommon was ‘completely transparent at all stages’ but that the Council would be more proactive in their communication with agents over minor defects. He added that most invalida- tions were not caused by minor deficiencies.

“We want, of course, to have success for planning applicants in line with our County Development Plans but the applications have to reach a particular standard,” he said.

“If there are minor things and processes that we can improve we will, but it doesn’t mean there’s going to be an automatic decline in the invalidation rates. That will boil down to quality and compliance of the applications”.

Cllr Nigel Dineen, however, said the current invalidation rate was “a major concern” and issues around planning had caused Roscommon to lose out on economic development.

“We can all go around in circles and say everything is fine,

RE/MAX Team Earley close sale on Fourmilehose bungalow

This week, Cormac Sheehy of RE/ MAX Team Earley is pleased to advise that he has closed the sale of a charming, two-bedroomed residence, located on a fine site of approximately 0.568 acres at Tully, Fourmilehouse, County Roscommon.

Once one steps inside this home, the quality of finish is apparent, with solid wood kitchen cabinets and double glazing throughout. This home truly is in turnkey condition.

This is a fantastic opportunity to pur- chase a cottage-styled residence with ample outbuildings. The outbuildings and immediate surroundings of the house are a credit to the current owner-occupier.

The property features a fuel store, workshop and an extensive canopied area, and the gardens are manicured and filled with various herbs, and fruits and vegetables, making for a wonderful setting. The BER rating is E1.

RE/MAX Team Earley are currently looking for similar type properties, especially detached bungalow residences, for disappointed underbidders who are cash clients or mortgage approved. but it’s not fine. It needs to be addressed and as Cllr Leyden said, we need to get that 26 per cent down because it’s a serious, serious issue,” he said.

For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact RE/ MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090-6626579, email teamearley@remax.ie, log onto teamearley.ie, or contact auctioneer Cormac on 086-3519492 or auctioneer Cathal on 086-1409158.

Director of Services Greg O’Donnell said a balance would have to be struck when it came to applications.

“Our neighbours Mayo are at 3 per cent but that is an outlier and we are an outlier too at 26 per cent. The national average is in around the late teens percentage-wise and that’s where we would like to be. I can assure you that any application that is invalid… there is a reason for it,” he said.

“The quality of applications has at times from some agents left something to be desired. By the same token, there shouldn’t be a zero tolerance on (incomplete) applications that come in either, so we are trying to get to a happy medium and strike a balance,” he said.

“We can’t have a target reduction, we can only respond to what comes in and try and be reasonable,” he said.

Cllr John Naughten said it was in everyone’s interests to get the validation process right and proposed an open day for agents and regular applicants to discuss issues that arise. The motion was later carried by members.

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I, Michael Stokes intend to apply for Retention Permission at Rooskagh Townland, Ballynamona, Co. Roscommon. The development consists of: Retention Permission for a concrete foundation slab and erection of a steel potting shed, new vehicular entrance and all associated site works at Rooskagh Townland, Ballynamona, Co. Roscommon.

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Signed: Michael Stokes