Writing Your Own Objection

It is generally agreed that turning in an identical copy of someone else's objection is a waste of your 20 Eur. The council will treat them as one, even if they are slightly different. In the end, they will all be stapled together and only the top one will be taken seriously.

So, if you feel strongly enough about the McAleer and Laverty application, and are willing to spend 20 Eur, you should write your own objection, or join a small group of neighbours to write one. The intention of this Blog is to give you some ammunition and get you started.

- The number of the application is NA800584
- The Closing Date is Wed. 9th April at 3:30
- You can address your objections or observations to the Planning Authority, Meath County Council, Abbey Road, Navan or hand your document in to the office at the same address.
- Don't forget the 20 Eur.

You will be posted an acknowledgement. This is an important document, which gives you the right to lodge an objection with Bord Planala, should the need arise. File it where you can retrieve it.
You will also be posted the planning decision on the application.

A useful structure for your objections is to focus on one is particular that you feel strongly about. You can add others in bullet points. Handwritten objections are every bit as good as typewritten ones, as long as they are legible.

The general guidelines are (and there may be more in the comments to this post):

1. Emphasize points where the developer does not follow the LAP3.
2. If there are points where you do not agree with the LAP3 yourself, make those points separately.
3. Try to make your points as short as possible; use a list; use headings.
4. If possible, divide your points into major and minor.
5. Highlight if you live close to the new development - your opinion is doubly important.
6. Be positive. It's a good idea to say that overall you welcome development, but there are regrettable instances where you find this development obnoxious (or words to that effect)... etc.
7. Don't hesitate to make positive suggestions.
8. Don't be a "Not in My Back Yard" (NIMBY) objector; that only gives the planners an excuse to ignore you.
9. If worried about negative social consequences, emphasize preserving your "quality of life" rather than "standard of living".

If you need more help, contact me at tobyjoyce@eircom.net or contact the residents association.