Co Kildare's high level of planning refusals spurs serious concerns with architect now not wanting to take applications from Co Kildare for housing fearing refusals
A well established midlands architect now dreads people coming to him seeking planning permission in Co Kildare because of the significantly high rate of refusals.
Leslie Colton, working as an architect for over 30 years, sees a worrying trend of planning refusals for once off rural housing in Co Kildare, especially in the past three years.
Stradbally based Mr Colton works as an architect throughout the midlands, along with Wexford and Kilkenny.
He said: “Co Kildare is the worst county to get planning for. I don’t want to take on any applications in Co Kildare anymore, as I hate taking people’s money and then them being refused.”
Brenton Walsh, was given land behind his parent’s house but has been unable to get planning, meeting two refusals. Following refusal he purchased another site next to his parent’s house but that too was refused planning.
He is living with his wife, Emma due a baby in five weeks, along with his six- year-old daughter, and parents, in a three bedroom house waiting for planning permission two years on.
Mr Walsh (31), works at BC Motors with his wife. The refusals for planning permission for a four bedroom dormer, are putting the family under great stress.
He said: “We have spent almost €4,000 so far and still no further in the process. All we want to do is build a home for our family in the town we grew up in, we work in and to where our daughter goes to school in.”
Mr Colton, says that he does not like charging the people who come from Co Kildare, seeking planning permission, as he fears it is very unlikely they will get planning.
Meanwhile, development charges, are much higher than Co Laois. In Co Kildare the development charges are approximately €10,000 while in Co Laois, the charges are €2,500.
He said: “Development charges nolonger cover services such as water, what you are paying for is the privilege of being able to build a house in Co Kildare and for public services such as roads.”
Mr Colton says that it is now exceptionally difficult to get planning in rural areas around Co Kildare.
South Kildare based TD Seán O Fearghaíl,is describing the planning situation in Co Kildare as ‘intolerable.’
From January 1, 2019, to March 31, 2019, there were 50 applications for planning in Co Kildare, 84 in Co Meath, 19 in Carlow, 43 in Laois, 41 in Offaly and 34 in Louth.
Of these applications, there were 22 once off grants in Kidare, 70 in Meath, 16 in Carlow, 39 in Laois, 38 in Offaly and 33 in Louth.
Once off refusals in Kildare were 28, Meath 14, Carlow three, Laois four, Offaly one and Louth one.
Kildare showed a 56% refusal rate, the highest among all of the counties.
Deputy O Fearghaíl, said: “I have been a public rep since 1985 and Kildare has had a rapid population growth.”
He says that to build in rural areas, conditions stipulate that the person must be the son or daughter of a farmer and show that they have been living in the community for 12 years and rural enterprise for seven years.
Deputy O Fearghaíl said: “There are people meeting the criteria and still being refused.”
He said: “The Department of Local Government Officials have expressed their difficulty and concern with the number of once off housing being permitted in Co Kildare.”
He says that refusing planning on this scale is ‘entirely contrary to the Council’s own Development Plan and also to the national policy document,Sustainable Rural Housing, which promotes a positive presumption for certain categories of applications seeking to build in rural areas.”
Kildare County Council has been asked to comment, and a statement is awaited.