NAAS, 25 October 2002: Unauthorised businesses and services operating from private houses in estates in Naas came in for strong criticism at a recent Naas Town Council meeting.
“We all know what’s going on,” Cllr Seamie Moore said. “People may or may not be aware that they cannot do this - or are just ignoring it,” he added.
He said some of these activities are bringing traffic and ‘dangerous problems’ to the estates concerned and this ‘is not in keeping with what people have bought into’.
He wanted a heavy penalty imposed on people who ignore such planning laws.
Cllr Moore asked the Council to adopt a policy in respect of the demolition, conversion or change of use of private houses to businesses and multi-accommodations and that all such changes be classified as variations to existing plans of Naas Town Council.
Town clerk Declan Kirrane said the uses allowed in any area or location are determined by the zoning matrix in the current Town Development Plan. He agreed there are numerous businesses being run from private houses all over the town but said, up to now, he has received very few complaints of such operations. However, he expected the flood gates to open following the discussion.
“But we can’t take action unless we’re aware about it,” he warned.
Cllr Pat O’Reilly said these activities are effectively a loss to the housing stock of the town. “I don’t think councillors like going around and spying on people but I think we want a policy regarding exclusions of commercial density in certain areas.
The proposal met with unanimous approval.
