Although Wexford County Council (WCC) is investigating the installation of a septic tank at Cooper’s Inn in Killinick, and also an application to convert a commercial premises to residential use, there are concerns it is not moving fast enough.
Questioned have been asked about “unauthorised activity” at Cooper’s Inn, Killnick.
News in 90 seconds – March 9th
At the monthly meeting of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) councillors Frank Staples and Ger Carthy queried the lack of action being taken by the council.
“What’s going on with Cooper’s Inn?” asked Cllr Staples. “There’s been a lot of unauthorised activity down there with septic tanks and sheds being built, our planning department know I’ve been on about this and I think I should be receiving some information on it.”
He was supported by Cllr Carthy who felt WCC’s planning team weren’t being aggressive enough in pursuing this case.
“Are you allowed to just do what you like down there?” he asked. “Do our planning enforcement team not have the teeth to deal with this?”
Explaining that “both matters are in hand and being dealt with”, senior planner Tom Banville said there were two active enforcement cases open regarding the proprieter of Cooper’s Inn.
“One case is in relation to the regularisation of a septic tank,” he said. “We are engaging with the owners and they are to submit a planning application to regularise that. The second one is an authorised development, the owner submitted a 10.6 (an exemption for planning) for the conversion of a commercial premises to residential use, we have been down there and inspected it several times, we believe they will regularise it.”
“How long do they get?” asked Cllr Carthy. “These boys are tipping around for the last 12 months.”
“There’s a process we have to follow,” replied Mr Banville.
“We are very reluctant to go into the courts with anything,” said Cllr Carthy. “We’re way past the time for bringing them to court.”
However, given the number of planning enforcement cases (450) currently being investigated by WCC, Mr Banville said it was unrealistic to expect his team to take everyone to court.
“We’re not asking you to take 450 cases to court,” argued Cllr Carthy. “This is in the centre of a village, they’re doing what they like, it needs to be dealt with in a forthright manner. They’re in breach of planning regulations.”
Separately, Mr Banvile provided councillors with an update on the number of derelict sites in the RMD, revealing that there are currently 17 sites on the register in the district. However, Cllr Aoife Rose O’Brien questioned that number.
“I find that figure of 17 really hard to believe,” she said. “I could list off 17 derelict properties within a couple of kilometres of my own home. What resources are we being given to get properties onto the register?”
“You can report the sites to me if they’re not on our list,” replied Mr Banville.
While there are just 17 sites officially on the register in the RMD, Mr Banville said there are a further 12 sites being investigated by the council.
“There’s been some engagement with the owners of these sites, they may be applying for planning or be in the process of selling the property. We monitor these properties to see if there’s any progress there,” he explained.
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