An Taisce - Beginning of the End?

?Cee?view

http://www.galwaynews.ie/13568-whos-watching-watchdog


Anyone spot this article? It's great to see someone finally investigating this vicious self-serving quango. Fair dues to those who tried to join.



Who's watching the watchdog?

June 24, 2010 - 7:00am by Darragh McDonagh and Declan Tierney


Galway County Council is facing a massive overhaul of its planning policy – including a virtual clampdown on one-off rural housing – under the terms of a Government review announced this week.
And angry politicians and planners are now convinced that this review of planning procedures has been effectively driven by An Taisce, the state-supported ‘environmental charity’ that is synonymous with objections to such housing developments, particularly in Connemara.
Yet, at the same time, a Connacht Tribune investigation has uncovered serious anti-democratic processes at work within the body which is in receipt of state funding and has state privileges conferred upon it when it comes to the planning process.
Not alone is the organisation unilaterally deciding who can become a member of the state-supported body – as the Tribune investigation can show, it has also cancelled the membership of individuals when it believes their views do not precisely tally with theirs.
This new Government inquiry could result in county planners being ordered to tighten up on the amount of planning permissions they grant – already this process is causing consternation across the county.
In more than 40 per cent of appeals to An Bord Pleanála in recent years, the Board has reversed the decision of planners in County Galway, well ahead of the national averages.
The planning review has been ordered by the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, over what he says are major complaints against planners in a number of local authorities including Galway County Council.
However, it is known that the majority of these complaints have come from environmental ‘watchdog’ group, which is vehemently and publically opposed to the sort of one-off rural housing that is part of a traditional way of life in rural Ireland – and particularly in Connemara.
But when a group of concerned citizens from west of the Corrib – including among their number, a local auctioneer – managed to join the organisation, with a view to making their alternate views on one-off housing known within the group, they were told that their membership fee was being returned to them with a postscript that it was ‘unfortunate that you have wasted your time.’
See full story and investigation in this week's Connacht Tribune.

LowOdour

Good riddence to them.

If they were consistant in who they objected to then it would be fine....but they are not. I have seen the stress they have caused to people over nothing.

Planning office are not much better....but at least they might offer some suggestions on what can be done.

?Cee?view

LowOdour wrote: »

Planning office are not much better....but at least they might offer some suggestions on what can be done.

...although in fairness the Planning Office are reasonable professionals doing their job. An Taisce are self-appointed troublemakers.

LowOdour

churchview wrote: »

...although in fairness the Planning Office are reasonable professionals doing their job. An Taisce are self-appointed troublemakers.

Planning offices have a case to answer in this country...developers (who got money from banks) didnt just build anywhere, they had to get planning permission. Tis why some county councils (including galaway) are being looked in to.

They are part of the chain

but you are right about an Taisce

Binky Mc

I've no problem with them objecting to one off houses which are not in keeping with the local area, but most local people who want to build (and cant get planning permission) dont want to built massive obtrusive houses, and well a lot of people who would have been able cant now anyway.

Another waste of time of group anyway. If planners did their jobs and took a few other details into account the place would be a lot happier.

I'm going to stick with the block work around my mobile home for now anyway, flip i cant afford the loan i took to buy the blocks right now!!

Sponge Bob

churchview wrote: »

Who's watching the watchdog?

Yet, at the same time, a Connacht Tribune investigation has uncovered serious anti-democratic processes at work within the body which is in receipt of state funding and has state privileges conferred upon it when it comes to the planning process.
Not alone is the organisation unilaterally deciding who can become a member of the state-supported body – as the Tribune investigation can show, it has also cancelled the membership of individuals when it believes their views do not precisely tally with theirs.

Funny that , the Tribune story ONLY came about because of a thread in this very forum in the spring I already knew they had a membership blacklist in Galway but thanks to this forum 'prodding' them it has been proved beyond doubt

The intention behind the thread was that An Taisce would know there was something afoot in Galway and would react to it in their elitist and antidemocratic ways. I am glad that I played my part in flushing this ecofascist scum out of their lair .

They are nothing but a cabaal of obnoxious lunatic fringe greens who have taken over a body formerly associated largely with Historically minded people. Giving these people any statutory recognition is as idiotic as letting the SWP have a statutory hold over over the activities of the Department of Social Welfare .

They must be statutorily derecognised immediately as well as shunned in polite society and permanently ignored when they start their unfounded rantings.

***** !

Robbo

Whilst I'm thrilled at the notion of An Taisce getting a kick in the stones, do we really need to row in behind rural one-off housing?

civis_liberalis

Robbo wrote: »

Whilst I'm thrilled at the notion of An Taisce getting a kick in the stones, do we really need to row in behind rural one-off housing?

As long as they aren't built as second homes or as speculative ventures, I'm 100% behind them.

Das Kitty

Will we get our road now?

Robbo

Das Kitty wrote: »

Will we get our road now?

And lo, the scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he finally saw the true light, the way unto the Lord. At least that's what it says here... ;Lord, I am tired. Well, so much for the road to Damascus, what about the road to Royston Vasey we're finally getting? Hallelujah. Let's just hope we don't get a visit from Pog or Loopy, those soap dodging road protesters. Driving round in their converted ice cream vans; pierced belly buttons, pierced eyebrows, pierced tongues... I bet they'd have their arseholes pierced, if they could get their cheeks into the machine. If I had my way, I'd shepherd them all into one of their tunnels knock out all the pit props and see how they like being close to the earth then.

dloob

Robbo wrote: »

Whilst I'm thrilled at the notion of An Taisce getting a kick in the stones, do we really need to row in behind rural one-off housing?

It would be nice to see the end of An Taisce and rural one-off housing.

LowOdour

dloob wrote: »

It would be nice to see the end of An Taisce and rural one-off housing.

And rural one-off houses....what do you expect those of us to do that are building one? If family are happy to have me build there then whats it to anybody else? Blow-ins that build houses where its not their business, thats where your problem lies

Sponge Bob

Gormley has just hauled in Galway County Council over planning.

Word is that if you want to build within 15km of a SAC ( more or less all of Galway County including all of Connemara and North Galway ( which is "upstream" of the Lough Corrib SAC even if over 15km away up the Clare River catchment ) then you must do one of these in future. All of east Galway drains into the Suck...which is a SAC . South Galway is near or upstream of the Burren SAC complex or the Shannon Callows...SAC.

An Taisce Gotcha

http://www.npws.ie/en/media/NPWS/Publications/CodesofPractice/AA%20Guidance.pdf

5.5.1. Screening for AA of a Proposed Development
In general planning authorities will face one of the following situations when screening
planning applications:
1. Applications for permission where, from the location, nature and size of the
development it is clear that an AA is not required because it is located so far from any
Natura 2000 site or precautionary area (e.g. either upstream or downstream) that it is
certain that it will not have a significant effect on the Natura 2000 site.
2. Applications for permission where, from the description of the development, it is clear
that an AA is not required whether or not the proposal is located within or without a
Natura 2000 site. Examples of this would be involving changes to the external
appearance of buildings, (such as shop fronts, change of house design/ appearance,
domestic extensions) or changes of use that do not involve any extra loading on waste
water, water systems or erosion of habitats.
3. Applications for permission where, from the nature, size and location of the
development it is clear that an AA will be required. These are more likely to be located
within or close to, or upstream of or in the catchment of a Natura 2000 site and have
the clear potential to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site. Examples of these
are developments, which require EIS (above or sub threshold), such as the
construction of more than 500 dwelling units22 and developments that have a major
physical infrastructural need or impact.
4. Applications for permission, where from the nature, size and location of the
development it is unclear if the proposal, will have a significant effect on a Natura 2000
site. This will need an AA if the effects are uncertain (precautionary principle).
5.5.2. Screening for AA: Steps for a Proposed Project
Section 3.2 of this guidance outlines the steps that are involved in Screening for
Appropriate Assessment.
22 In some cases, smaller scale developments and even individual houses will require an AA (see situation 4).

Therefore you have to hire an An Taisce member planning consultant to prepare the appropriate assessment for you. If you do not co-operate they will object no matter where you are in the county. Because Galway had not implemented the SAA guidelines Gormley is 'investigating' them to force compliance and ensure everybody in teh county ha to hire one of these gangsters

3.2.1. Introduction
Screening determines whether appropriate assessment is necessary by examining:
1) whether a plan or project can be excluded from AA requirements because it
is directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site, and
2) the potential effects of a project or plan, either alone or in combination with
other projects or plans, on a Natura 2000 site in view of its conservation
objectives, and considering whether these effects will be significant.
Screening is an iterative process that involves consideration of the plan or project and its
likely effects, and of the Natura 2000 sites and their ecological sensitivities, and the likely
interaction between these. These and other ecological issues should always be taken into
account at the earliest possible stage in the planning, design or preparation process so
that any constraints are identified and can be taken into consideration, and delays and
negative outcomes can be avoided insofar as is possible. Specialist ecological input and
advice is recommended in undertaking the various elements of screening.

And you thought FF were bad

galwayrush

Ahh, some god news, hopefully this will lead to the demise of the scourge of the 'Serial Objectors'.