Lack of transparency in planning process at six local authorities

A lack of transparency, poor record-keeping and some irregularities in the planning process were evident in a number of county councils, a report for Government has found.

The report into planning practises in six local authorities – commissioned more than two years ago – is expected to be published this week by Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly.

The independent investigation into the planning departments of Carlow, Cork, Galway and Meath County Councils, and Cork and Dublin City Councils, was ordered by Jan O'Sullivan when she was minister of state for planning.

Her 2013 decision to seek the external investigation followed a High Court order quashing part of an earlier local authority planning review undertaken by the Department of the Environment.

Investigate complaints

The internal review was commissioned by former environment minister John Gormley in 2010 to investigate complaints made by An Taisce about planning in Dublin and Cork City Councils, and Cork, Meath and Donegal County Councils.

The latest report contains a number of recommendations, both for individual councils and on a broader, national basis, which Mr Kelly is said to be willing to implement.

Mr Kelly is also expected to seek Cabinet approval today for a new planning regulator, while Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin will also seek approval for his revamp of the Standards in Public Office Commission. Both moves have already been flagged.

The planning report says a “common problem” was the failure to maintain adequate records of meetings with third parties. “It is critical for transparency, public participation, good governance and to provide the planning authority with a defence against allegations that may arise.”

‘Irregular practices’

For Carlow, the report says it agrees with previous assessments that there were “irregular practices” but there was no evidence of “wilful wrongdoing”.

Cork County Council is found to have had "a lack of transparency in relation to meetings and other contacts" between council officials, planning applicants or their agents and councillors and TDs. Cork City Council was found not to have made certain planning files available for public inspection.

Planning applications to Dublin City Council for larger and high-rise developments in areas around the city centre were also examined in the report.

It said the council had regard to its own development plan when considering these applications.

Galway County Council is found to have not always properly assessed the effect certain developments would have had on birds and wildlife.