Cavan County Council Pro-Development

cavan | environment | press release Sunday September 05, 2004 01:38 by Michael Lynch - Red Branch Heritage redbranch at oceanfree dot net

Red Branch Heritage appeal for support

Cavan based heritage group Red Branch Heritage have renewed their urgent appeal for all concerned people who wish a two thousand year old landmark to be protected to contact Cavan County Council and register their disquiet.

Susan Hayes, Red Branch Heritage secretary said that with National Heritage week approaching her organisation had plans to highlight growing public disquiet at the planning policies of Cavan County Council in relation to the protection of Heritage sites in the county. In many recent controversial planning applications relating to a conflict of interest between developers and heritage interests, Cavan County Council has invariably come down in favor of granting the permission despite legitimate concerns. Last year the council granted planning approval for a limestone quarry at Mountnugent despite local objections. An appeal to An Board Pleanala overturned this decision.
A controversial proposed development in Belturbet which included the building of 58 apartments near a protected building in the town on the banks of the river Erne was also granted planning approval by Cavan County Council despite local objections and this week An Board Pleanala again overturned the decision and refused permission.
Susan Hayes stated that her group would shortly be releasing a detailed report on heritage sites in the Denn area, to mark National Heritage Week. This report will include proposals to have the Black Pig’s Dyke and other important archeological sites in the Denn/Carrickaboy catchment included in Cavan County Councils inventory of protected sites as listed in the County Cavan Development Plan 2003-2009. This area of the county has being completely omitted from the current list stated Miss Hayes. “The Council have completely failed to deliver on the clear commitments given in the plan to protect heritage sites from being damaged or their setting spoiled by adjoining development,” stated Miss Hayes.
Susan Hayes said she was disappointed that the recently appointed County Manager, Mr. Jack Keyes has publicly stated his disagreement with An Board Pleanala’s decision to refuse permission for the Belturbet development, stating that he is “pro-development”.
The council seems to be working in a hand in glove fashion with development interests and ignoring the concerns of people living in the county who had genuine concerns about losing important archeological remains.
Susan went on to criticise many local councilors for not showing any interest in protecting such monuments and continually criticizing environmental and heritage groups such as An Taisce for raising legitimate concerns.

Press Release Ends