Planning offices operating without architects

Almost a third of local authority planning divisions are operating without architectural services, a report has found. Local authorities in Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, Meath and Laois are planning for the future without architects, despite a Government commitment to promote architectural quality in the planning process in 2002. David O’Connor, Fingal County Council manager, said not having architectural staff is causing some local authorities to miss out on good development opportunities. “In some situations protected buildings can cause problems for local authorities that are looking to develop an area. “An architect can take what seems like a problem and more often than not find ways to use that building and give an area a new lease of life,” he said.

The Irish Times