Cllrs fury over 'explosion' of unauthorised develoment

Aerial photographs which purport to show hundreds of scrapped cars piled up on land along the route of the N2 were shown to Meath councillors this week to back up serious allegations of unauthorised commercial developments on lands near the road. In a behind closed doors briefing given to county councillors, the photographs were used to give members an overview of planning enforcement measures being taken by the council to tackle alleged widespread disregard for the planning laws by individuals. Councillors were told that officials are actively pursuing the matter and several court actions are pending within the next few months. It was claimed during the briefing by a council official that some people along the N2 had brought generators onto alleged unauthorised sites but that, in some cases, an electricity supply had actually been connected to sites. It was also suggested that, in at least one case, the council was taking rates from people involved in unauthorised development. Although the item was discussed 'in committee', several councillors expressed their shock and concern about the extent of the problem. Not only were some of the developments involving alleged illegal entry onto the N2 route, but local residents were suffering inconvenience and intimidation, it was further claimed. Fine Gael Cllr Regina Doherty said yesterday (Tuesday) that councilors had been aware of alleged unauthorised planning development along the N2 from The Ward up to north of Ashbourne, but they were shocked at its extent shown in aerial photographs commissioned by the council. "This whole area has become a graveyard for clapped-out cars," she said. "One of the difficulties for the council is that the mechanism for dealing with this is quite slow. It leads to frustration among councillors and residents affected by these developments. I mean, if I build an unauthorised development in my garden, it won't be long before I am dealt with and I have to take it down," she said. However, she defended the council against suggestions that it might be "soft" on those carrying out unauthorised developments along the N2. "There is a perception out there that some people can do what they like, but it's not true," she added. There were quite a number of cases now in the legal process and these would be pursed. "Since the beginning of the enforcement process, there were about 42 cases of alleged unauthorised development. There are now 13-14 live cases going through the legal process," said the FG councillor. Cllr Doherty said the council's aim was to get people within the planning laws and to regularise their position. However, she said that because of the nature of some of the businesses along the N2, they were causing "antisocial problems" for their neighbours. She claimed that the aerial photographs shown at Monday's meeting of the council depicted "hundreds of clapped-out cars in neat rows on these sites". The councillors also claimed that she had had complaints of alleged "very unsavoury" activity going on. "We need to get tough on this unauthorised development but we have to act within the law," she added. "The biggest complaint is about antisocial behaviour. And that is a mild phrase for what I am told is going on. One woman complained to me that she could not leave her house for four hours on Sunday mornings because of horses and traps and racing on the road." Cllr Jimmy Cudden said that what councillors had seen at the meeting demonstrated "an alarming picture" of what is going on along the N2. "What is going on there is serious stuff," he said. Cllr Wayne Harding said he would express concern that some alleged unauthorised developments had entrances out onto a national primary route. There was also serious concern for the welfare of the residents living in the area, he said. He agreed with council measures to enforce the planning laws. "The council is doing everything it can to tackle what has become an explosion of unauthorised developments along the route," said Cllr Harding. Some of the photographs displayed at the council meeting "showed an enormous amount of development", he added. A spokesperson for Meath County Council said elected members had been given an update on enforcement actions taken on foot of unauthorised developments on the N2. It was noted that such developments largely consisted of vehicular-based activities. "Officials outlined the council's enforcement strategy and the various steps available to it under the Planning and Development Act. The council's continuous engagement with other statutory undertakers in its enforcement role was noted by the councillors and they encouraged the planning authority to pursue all unauthorised development in this area,", the spokesperson added.