-
-
Author: Dara Bradley
~ 2 minutes read
The Planning Enforcement Section of Galway County Council is so understaffed that complaints of unauthorised developments are not being investigated for months, the Connacht Tribune has learned.
In one case, a complaint alleging a house was under construction in a picturesque and environmentally sensitive part of Conamara without planning permission was not investigated by the Council for at least six months.
And it can be revealed that there is a ‘large’ backlog of complaints of unauthorised developments in the county, which the Planning Enforcement Section at County Hall has blamed on staff shortages, according to correspondence obtained by the Connacht Tribune under Freedom of Information (FOI).
In response to repeated requests by a concerned member of the public to intervene and investigate an allegation of unauthorised development in an environmentally protected area of Conamara, the Council’s Planning Department indicated it was too stretched.
“Unfortunately, the planning enforcement section is experiencing a period of prolonged staff shortages and consequently there are a large number of files awaiting investigation/review,” it said.
This is a shortened preview version of this story. To read the rest of the article, see this week’s Connacht Tribune. You can support our journalism by buying a digital edition HERE.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune:
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
More like this:
Curtain comes down on DADS Faith Healer
The curtain came down on Dunmore Amateur Dramatic Society’s award-winning production ‘Faith Heale...
Crowds descend on Kiltulla & District Vintage Club’s annual extravaganza
The skies were sunny as the crowds gathered for the recent Kiltulla & District Vintage Show –...
Clifden District Hospital set to re-open on Monday
Clifden District Hospital, which closed temporarily at the end of February is set to re-open on M...
Record numbers expected this weekend at Fleadh Cheoil na Gaillimhe in Claregalway
Record numbers are expected in Claregalway this weekend for the Fleadh Cheoil na Gaillimhe 2024. ...
Galway farmers to take part in Lidl new sustainable beef programme
20 Irish beef farmers from Galway, Cavan, Longford, Meath, Roscommon, Westmeath and Wexford have ...
Eamon Ryan says solutions to traffic chaos in Galway cannot be decided in Dublin
The solutions needed to tackle the traffic chaos in Galway cannot be decided in Dublin, and can o...
Claddagh Watch secures five-year funding partnership with leading company
Claddagh Watch has secured a five-year funding partnership with a leading Irish company. UTS Tech...
Five Galway MACE stores receive awards for retail excellence
Five stores in Galway have been honoured at the MACE Excellence Awards The Awards are hosted by o...
Visiting restrictions at University Hospital Galway due to vomiting bug
Visiting restrictions have been put in place at University Hospital Galway due to an outbreak of ...