Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said that An Post are displaying an unacceptable disregard for county planning laws after it emerged that a warning and Enforcement Letter (attached) was issued against Thurles Shopping Centre development over its non-compliance with a number of conditions related to its planning permission. Deputy McGrath was speaking after the matter was raised at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing and Planning, of which he is a member:
“This matter was brought to the attention of the Committee in order to highlight the fact that An Post, as a semi state body are continuing to develop their new premises at the Thurles Shopping Centre despite the serious planning breaches that have been identified at that development by Tipperary County Council.
These breaches are very serious, and they include the restricting of access for emergency vehicles.
It is totally and utterly unacceptable for An Post to simply ignore this warning letter from the County Council and the Director of Services.
At the very least, given An Post’s position, it should have ceased or suspended all work until the unauthorised developments at the Thurles Shopping Centre have been regularised.
What does it say about An Post’s respect for the statutory role that the local authority has to play with respect to planning laws if it just ignores letters of this kind and carries on regardless?
I am calling on An Post to immediately cease all work at the Thurles Shopping Centre and to show some respect for the planning laws that every other small business in Thurles and the rest of the county have to comply with,” concluded Deputy McGrath.
ENDS
