Fianna Fáil Councillor in Kildare Rob Power said the decision by Minister Simon Coveney, "flies in the face of the 2,148 local residents of Sallins".
He said: "For twenty years the residents of Sallins have seen their town grow in population without the associated growth in community facilities. Here was a perfect opportunity for Kildare County Council to right that wrong and we have been prevented from doing so by the Minister and his department.
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"There was also an opportunity to increase the housing stock in an area which sits in an urban rail corridor and has serious pent-up demand.
"On 08 July Minister Coveney was quoted in an interview with the Evening Echo saying: 'We need to see a dramatic increase in housing stock in as short a time as we can make it'.
"Exactly one month later, on 08 August he has faltered at the very first opportunity to do just that.
"As a new Councillor, I have been frustrated by the lack of authority that local representatives have. One function which Councillors do have, is that of making and amending a local area plan. When the Minister takes this away you have to wonder what regard for local democracy, if any, this Government has."
(CD/MH)
