In my efforts to flush out planning nonsense wherever it might be, last week I began implementing my new policy of placing ads in the Classified sections of the local newspapers, inviting ordinary folk to assist me in my quest.
Carlow, where I know from my own experience as well as from discussions with others that things might not be as they ought, was first up. So. I sent the following copy off to the Nationalist and asked them to include it in their next issue:
If you are having a frustrating or difficult time on a planning application; if you feel you are being treated unfairly by the planning authority; or if you think that the Council is being in any way unreasonable with you on a planning matter, email me in complete confidence at info@garrymiley.com or go to my website at www.garrymiley.com
I received this response from the Nationalist:
Gary,
Thank you for your e-mail. I have been asked to run your advert passed the ASAI http://www.asai.ie/ in order to check its suitability for publication in our title(s). I will come back to you as soon as they respond to my query.
Yours sincerely,
Advertising Executive
The Nationalist
(The ASAI is the Advertising Standards Authority.)
Then I received another email from the Nationalist:
Gary – the ASAI have come back to me to confirm that although the ad content does not infringe their code of standards, we are entitled to use our discretion in the matter of its publication. In the circumstances our General Manager has decided that it is in our best interests not to publish.
I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Hillcrest, Hanover, Carlow