Calls for ABP to deal with planning appeals more quickly

“They need to deal with decisions quicker,” said Fianna Fáil's Aiden Fitzpatrick, making specific reference to the recent hold up at the national planning authority in determining an appeal over plans to build a new Aldi store in Cootehill.

It took almost 70 weeks before Aldi Ireland received the green light from An Bord Pleanálá to press ahead with the development of a new €6.5 million, 1,315 sq m store in Cootehill in 2024.

The German discounter has said up to 60 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with 25 permanent roles once the supermarket opens to the public along Station Road and Market Street.

Speaking at the December monthly meeting of Cavan County Council, Cllr Fitzpatrick asked the local authority to write to An Bord Pleanálá to request that they deal with planning applications “more quickly”.

He said that such delays are affecting the progress of developments across the country.

Independent Shane P. O'Reilly pointed out that ABP has a statutory objective to decide cases within 18 weeks. Simply put, this is “not happening”.

Cllr O'Reilly conceded that ABP's job was made immeasurably more difficult by “serial objectors” and a heavy caseload is contributing to delays.

Fine Gael's Winston Bennett branded it a “disgrace” that companies have to wait 12 months and longer for a planning decision. He said it isn't “fair” for a developer to be made jump through hoops, sometimes faced with vexatious objections, and to see projects stalled all the while watching the costs rise “50 to 60 per cent in a year”.

Cathaoirleach Philip Brady also supported the motion.