'More thought of the cuckoo than the people' - Anger in Limerick over planning guidelines

FRUSTRATION over Ireland’s planning system was among the leading issues discussed at the November meeting of the Adare–Rathkeale Municipal District, with councillors sharply criticising what they described as excessive red tape and a growing disconnect between planning authorities and rural communities.

Cllr Adam Teskey said the process has become so restrictive that “the Irish are being ran out of their own country”, arguing that ordinary people attempting to build homes on family land are being blocked at every turn. He claimed applicants are being “met with briefings on briefings”, leaving them overwhelmed and disheartened.

Cllr Stephen Keary echoed the concerns, saying that the presence of wind turbines is now being used as justification to deny planning permission. “There is an attitude of ‘Oh, there’s a windmill within five kilometres of where you want to put your house, so you cannot build here."

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He argued that planners appear more focused on environmental considerations than community needs.

“There is more thought of the cuckoo nowadays than the Irish person who wants to build,” Cllr Keary said, with Cllr Teskey adding that, in his view, planners are showing “more consideration towards the grey and red squirrel than the young Irish person trying to secure planning permission.”

Councillors also voiced concern about companies purchasing land and displacing local families who intend to build on inherited sites. They warned that this trend is contributing to the creation of “ghettos” in some housing estates, where young couples who cannot secure planning rurally are being forced into high-density areas away from their home communities.

Cllr Keary questioned why national policy does not place greater emphasis on repopulating rural parishes. “Wouldn’t the common sense be to promote young couples moving into rural areas?” he asked.

“They will get married, have kids, send those kids to local schools, join local clubs, and contribute hugely to rural life. These are the people who keep our communities alive.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme