THE LORD MAYOR of Letterkenny has slammed newly-lodged planning applications for car washes around the town – a year after they began operating.
Two applications have been made to the local town council for the car washes which Colr Tagdh Culbert claims have been operating illegally.
Colr Culbert called the move “underhand” and said the applications were only brought because legal proceedings had been initiated against the owners.
The Lord Mayor told donegaldaily.com “These facilities have used tens of thousands of gallons of water for free over the past year.
“It’s an underhand move and it’s only being done because the pressure is really on them to do so.
“I do welcome the fact that these people are now following the proper channels but this should have been done a year ago.
“The bottom line is that these people have been operating around the town for more than a year and were not paying any council rates for their water.
“That is simply not fair on other legitimate businesses who have to pay rates and all sorts of taxes,” he said.
Colr Culbert added that he would have preferred if the matter had been sorted out ‘in-house’ a long time ago.
“What was to stop us simply cutting off their water? If these were illegal operations, which I think they were, then we would have been perfectly within our rights to do so.
“We can’t just let people come in and set up shop when other businesses have to go through all the proper channels,” he said.
The planning applications, which were both made on the same day, December 21st last, relate to temporary carwash and valeting facilities and associated advertising signage for premises on both Canal Road and Pearse Road.
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