The heritage that An Taisce and such organisations is trying to protect when objecting to planning in Connemara is not Irish heritage, but British heritage, the county council was told on Monday.
During a debate on restrictions on planning, Cllr Seamus Walsh said that much of the basis of objections is the desire to maintain an element of heritage in our buildings.
‘Dormer houses are being refused on the basis that they are not in keeping with the traditional heritage.
“But the two-storey mansions that are getting the go ahead are not Irish heritage at all, but are more in keeping with British heritage,” he said, adding that new eight-metre restrictions on gable depths could see some houses being left with an attic that is just three feet high.
He said that the people of Connemara needed 3000sq ft houses if they are to survive, despite what he said was the unwarranted intervention of “yuppies in Dublin” to influence matters.
He was supported by Cllr Peter Feeney who aid that the eight-metre restriction affects the type of house that is designed and can often lead to inefficiencies in heating etc.
Cllr Tom Welby was also vocal on the matter saying that it is a disgrace that the Government is funding An Taisce and subsidising their objections.
“This is harebrained situation. Who is funding these faceless individuals,” he said, while Cllr Seosaimh O Tuaririsg said that it was not right that An Taisce is a member of An Bord Pleanala and is therefore a judge in their own cases. — Declan Varley
