TD's & planning Permission

stifz

Just out of interest..

Is it common practice for local TD's to act on behalf of individual's regarding planning applications??
i.e if there is a problem with p.p refusal etc a letter from a local TD changes the mix?
Are they allowed to do this?

Riskymove

stifz wrote: »

Just out of interest..

Is it common practice for local TD's to act on behalf of individual's regarding planning applications??
i.e if there is a problem with p.p refusal etc a letter from a local TD changes the mix?
Are they allowed to do this?

Yes, the only one who cannot make representations on behalf of someone in planning is Minister for the Environment

As to how much influence a letter from a T.D. has on a particular Council?? Who knows

markpb

There was a post here ages ago that said some TDs would use their influence to get lists of approved/not approved planning applications for their constituency. They'd get them before they were officially released and contact the applicant first. If it was successful, they'd tell them they were influencial in getting it approved. If it failed, they'd say they tried their best but weren't successful. In some cases, they sent those letters even if the person hadn't asked for help.

DadaKopf

Isn't it usually councillors who make decisions on this, though? Rather than TD 'representations'.

eoinmadden

DadaKopf wrote: »

Isn't it usually councillors who make decisions on this, though? Rather than TD 'representations'.

AFAIK neither councillors nor TDs (normally) make planning decisions.
Though councillors are certainly closer to the action than TDs. But both groups like to take credit for a successful application.

mikemac

markpb wrote: »

There was a post here ages ago that said some TDs would use their influence to get lists of approved/not approved planning applications for their constituency. They'd get them before they were officially released and contact the applicant first. If it was successful, they'd tell them they were influencial in getting it approved. If it failed, they'd say they tried their best but weren't successful. In some cases, they sent those letters even if the person hadn't asked for help.

Ivor Callely was known for doing this
I don't know the name of the constituency but based in Clontarf, Dublin 3

Still, he lost his seat though

DadaKopf

eoinmadden wrote: »

AFAIK neither councillors nor TDs (normally) make planning decisions.
Though councillors are certainly closer to the action than TDs. But both groups like to take credit for a successful application.

Technically, planning offices in Council offices make decisions about zoning etc. An Bord Pleanála are a board of appeal and enforcer of standards AFAIK. Councillors can, however, alter plans made by Council planning offices, but the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government sets national planning guidelines (not regulations) and can intervene to alter a decision slightly. All major plans must also 'have regard to' Regional development plans; the Regional Authorities have responsibility for the National Spatial Strategy, but they have little power to enforce NSS regulations. Councillors also need only have 'regard to' regional plans, as in, they have to think about how plans affect regional plans, but not obey them.

It's a mess. That said, with stricter regulation, and better local government reform, I'd be happy to devolve more tasks to local authorities.

turgon

Ive a story about this actually,

In the constituency next to us (Cork South Central) this developer was planning to build these 5 story apartments in the middle of a residential housing area. Obviously the locals weren't happy so they rang a local representative (either a Councilor but I think a TD) to help them with a letter of objection. So they gave the letter to the rep to give into the planning office. However it emerged sometime later the the rep was "accidentally" one day late, and the apartments are now built.