Vol. 573 No. 3
679 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the reasons for the rejection by him of advice from the heritage service in his Department on a development near Trim Castle; the way in which the autonomy of its professional opinion is respected by his rejection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25223/03]
Final decisions on planning applications are a matter for the relevant local planning authority, or for An Bord Pleanála in the case of planning appeals. As Minister I am a statutory consultee on any proposed developments which may have an impact on built or natural heritage and I am accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the public as regards the exercise of this function.
On receipt of the original planning application my Department made an observation to Trim Town Council that the scale of the proposed development could have a negative visual impact on the castle. My Department also suggested that further information should be sought by the planning authority prior to any decision on the application being made.
This further information was sought and received by the planning authority. In commenting on it, my Department reiterated its view that the development should not be permitted to impact negatively or detract from the visual appreciation of Trim Castle and that the proposal should be further scaled back.
On 27 August Trim Town Council granted planning permission for the development subject to a number of conditions, including a reduced size for the development with fewer rooms and revised elevations. Conditions were also attached that the developers should undertake archaeological monitoring of all sub-surface works carried out within the development site. In addition, the developers were required to submit revised site layouts setting the building back from where it was originally proposed.
I am satisfied that the developer and the council have made reasonable efforts to take the concerns expressed by my Department into consideration. As the decision to grant permission is now the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála it would not be appropriate to comment further.
