Inconsistencies in how planning permission applications are dealt with by Clare County Council have been highlighted in an independent audit.
The probe carried out by former chief planner Ciaran Lynch, was at the request of councillors amid complaints from their constituents about their experiences with the process.
Among the findings were that planning guidelines were specifically referred to in some of the applications he reviewed but absent in others and that the language used was very open to interpretation.
The report recommends that the local authority must decide if a regulator of planning guidelines or a facilitator be appointed in helping as many applicants as possible
Ciaran Lynch says clarity and clearly spelled out policies are the key to overcoming difficulties
