asked the Minister for Local Government if he will introduce legislation to ensure that planning proposals approved by planning authorities or on appeal are completed in accordance with the approved plans within a reasonable time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Proposals.
171.
Section 35 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 enables planning authorities to take enforcement action in relation to development authorised by a permission under the Act but which has not been carried out in conformity with such permission. While the exercise of such a power may be limited by practical difficulties, I doubt that these difficulties can be overcome by further legislative provision.
I do not know if I made myself clear. A plan for, say, a garage, or something of that nature is approved by the local authority or planning permission has been granted or, in some cases, approval has been granted by the Minister on appeal and a superstructure is put up but the job is not completed in accordance with the plans. If plans were submitted for the structure as it now is they would not have been approved. It is a matter for the local authority to ensure that the job is completed in accordance with the plan within a reasonable time. Unfortunately the local authority have no way of doing so short of resort to the courts and, unfortunately, in most cases we find that the persons concerned get the benefit as far as the court is concerned.
The Deputy is making a speech.
There is abuse.
Putting a time limit on the completion of development might pose more problems than it would solve.