The Meath demolition drama and our troubled relationship with planning, with Lorcan Sirr

The demolition of a family home in Co Meath last week brought the
idea of ‘build first, apply for retention later’ into
the spotlight. 


Chris and Rose Murray built the 588sq m (6,220sq ft) house near
Navan in 2006 despite being refused planning permission for a
bungalow half that size on the site. After five unsuccessful
retention bids and three failed appeals to keep the home intact,
it was eventually demolished last week. 


While the house has now been demolished, the case divided public
opinion enormously and it highlighted the tensions
between the planning system, the public, and
politicians.  


From the developer who superglued himself to a County Council
office to the 11 Dublin councillors who took payments
in return for planning permission, our relationship with the
rules in Ireland has always been questionable. 


Housing lecturer Lorcan Sirr believes the Irish attitude to
planning permission – sin first, seek forgiveness later – is
a particular feature of Catholic countries, and that
the disrespect shown to the rules by politicians filters down
through the general population. 


He’s been writing about this for the Irish Examiner,
and he’s the guest on today’s Deirdre O’Shaughnessy
Podcast.  


Lorcan Sirr: Meath house the latest example of our disrespect for
planning 


Demolition of house built without planning set to continue after
court ruling 


End of the line for unauthorised Meath house as demolition
finally gets under way 


 


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