Des Dalton questions Athy council

People of Athy once more victims of undemocratic planning

IN A statement Republican Sinn Féin candidate for Athy Town Council Des Dalton said that once again the people of Athy have fallen victim to an unaccountable planning process:

“Once more the people of Athy have fallen victim to an undemocratic and unaccountable planning process. One of the grounds given for refusing the development of a 50 million euro shopping centre at the Abbey site in Athy, was its locatation in close proximity to the route of the proposed ‘Inner relief Street’ as identified in the Athy Town Development plan.

“However An Bord Pleanála rejected the ‘Inner Relief Street’ proposal and a subsequent judicial review of the decision failed in the High Court.. The judicial review taken to the High Court was a shameful waste of public time, resources and funds and now it appears that despite its rejection by both An Bord Pleanála and the High Court the ‘Inner Relief Street’ proposal was left on the town’s development plan. The question must be answered by the Athy Town Council - why was the ‘Inner Relief Street’ proposal not removed from Athy’s development plan three years ago following the failure of the Judicial review in the High Court?

“Once more it appears that the people have come second to the narrow agendas of a minority with detrimental effects for the development of our town.”