'Human rights infringed by planners' - McDonnell

PEOPLE'S human rights are being infringed by planners, Independent councillor Randal McDonnell (pictured) has claimed.

He was speaking at a meeting between Moyle Council and planning officer Graeme Walker when a case in Cushendun was being discussed.

Planners are of the opinion to refuse the application by Mr P. McNeill for a new dwelling and garage on a farm 30 metres south of 109a Knocknacarry Road, Cushendun.

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Planners say it does not merit being considered as an exceptional case in that it has not been demonstrated that the proposed new building is visually linked or sited to cluster with an established group of buildings on the farm.

Planners say the building would not visually integrate into the surrounding landscape and say if permitted the dwelling would be unduly prominent in the landscape.

Cllr McDonnell said it is the nature of the Glens that individuals accumulate particular plots of land and he said this site is part of a historical clachan which has been studied by the Glens of Antrim Historical Society.

Cllr McDonnell said the planning authority “dictates rather prescriptively how people organise their family life” and he said under the Human Rights Act that amounts to an interference in family life.

He said planners were “rather sharp” in giving a refusal.

SDLP councillor Catherine McCambridge said she supports the applicant and Sinn Fein councillor Oliver McMullan asked for an office meeting to be held with planners.

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