In a riveting story in the Meath Chronicle , Meath Councillors have branded An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland, as "murders", "terrorists", "robbers" following the decision by An Bord Pleanala, to refuse planning permission for a business park at Kilbride. According to the story: "Robin Rennicks was granted planning permission by Meath County Council for phase one of a business park on lands at Belgree, Kilbride, Clonee, last June. Councillors had agreed to materially contravene the Meath County Development Plan, allowing the development on lands previously unzoned for such a project. An Taisce, along with a number of local objectors, appealed the council’s decision to the planning appeals board, Bord Pleanala, which last week overturned the decision of the Meath planning authority."
Under Part 8 of the Local Government Act , County Councillors can change the County Development Plan so that , for example, land zoned as agricultural can be rezoned for industry. However An Taisce and local residents objected to the rezoning on the grounds that it was outwith regional planning guidelines, was not near any growth centre or transportation corridor, unserviced with inadequate sewerage capacity. An Bord Pleanala agreed and refused permission on the 13th January 2009. In refusing the application the inspectors report states in essence that the development is "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
The article continues: "Ian Lumley, An Taisce’s heritage officer, this week rejected the criticisms of the Meath councillors, saying that there was more than enough zoned land for industrial development in Navan, Dunboyne, Drogheda environs, Ashbourne and along the new railway corridor. “These locations have all been identified and the development plan reflects that,” he says. “Material contraventions are back-door rezonings for landowners,” he added.
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