June 20, 2005
Air Support
The Sunday Times reports on a new planning problem - getting permission for helicopter pads.
Stephen Dowds, an independent planning consultant in Galway, said several of his clients own the aircraft. “One is a builder who will use it for nipping to and from jobs,” said Dowds.
“So if he has a job in Naas, he hops in the helicopter and flies there from Galway. You only have to look at the number of helicopters lined up at the Galway races to see that there has been an increase in the numbers using them.”
Indeed. The field across from GMIT during Race Week looks like a scene from Apocalypse Now. However, it seems that not everyone welcomes the sound of a helicopter clattering overhead on a regular basis. One aspiring air-commuter in Kiltimagh is attracting the ire of neighbours in his attempt to get permission to draw a big "H" on his lawn.
One row involves Paul Walsh, a brother of Louis, the pop manager, in his Mayo hometown. Local residents and a school objected to a helicopter landing pad and hangar being constructed on lands owned by Walsh in Kiltimagh. They said a helicopter would pose serious health and safety problems as well as cause noise pollution. Mayo county council refused permission as a result earlier this month and Walsh has appealed the decision.
As if there weren't enough reasons already to hate Louis Walsh…
Posted by Monasette at June 20, 2005 11:02 PM