The Clare branch of the Social Democrats claims the “militaristic” structure of the planning system is giving people in the county little or no choice in how their communities are planned.
It follows the issuing of a directive by the Department of Housing to Clare County Council ordering the rezoning of twenty subject lands in the county including fifteen which were designated for residential use.
Many local representatives have criticised the directive, which stated that the zoning of land for housing in the County Development Plan was “excessive” and directed plots in Mullagh, Liscannor and Broadford which were zoned for residential use to be reverted to agricultural zones.
Architect and Chair of the Clare branch of the Social Democrats Garry Miley says the current structure of the National Planning Framework is placing counties in a hierarchy with Dublin at the top.
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