Mediation attempt fails

by Brian Byrne

An attempt by Paul Aspell to act as mediator in a dispute between Kilcullen Community Action and local businessman Pat Dunlea has been stymied by a KCA stance not to discuss their appeal to An Bord Pleanala about one of his developments until it is decided by the Bord

At a recent meeting of the KCA, Paul tried to raise the mediation possibility under AOB.

He explained that he had discussed with Pat Dunlea and with KCA member Noel Clare the possibility of a compromise.



He said the developer was prepared to eliminate the fifth storey of his proposed development on the Square (above) if KCA would drop their appeal to An Bord Pleanala.

But Noel, who was chairman for the meeting, said he couldn't allow the discussion to continue because KCA had previously agreed not to get involved in any dialogue about the appeal until it was decided by the Bord.

Before he did so, the meeting had been told that any such compromise was not practical anyway, as the removal of the fifth storey would require a new planning application which would put the proposed development outside the tax-exemption status of the original application. That exemption scheme has ended, and a new application wouldn't be able to regain the status.

However, Kilcullen Diary understands that this is not necessarily so, although until the 'intention to give planning permission' by Kildare County Council is decided at the appeal level, the Council cannot apply or negotiate any proposed changes or conditions with the developer.

The Diary also understands that the developer didn't ask for the contentious fifth storey, but that it was put into the scheme by the county planners.

In any case, the decision by KCA to not even discuss the matter appears to make any compromise impossible without a complete about-turn in the organisation's stance.

©2005 Brian Byrne.