'Conflict of interest': Man opposes Tipperary Council in Nenagh planning permission case

Tipperary County Council may have planning permission they granted overturned due to an observation accusing the council of a “conflict of interest”. 

An appeal has been lodged with An Comisiún Pleanála, asking the body to reconsider the council granting planning permission to the construction of five detached commercial buildings in Lisboney Business Park in Nenagh for Apex Aviation. 

The company is seeking to construct five detached commercial buildings on land that is owned by Tipperary County Council - who accepted the initial planning permission with conditions.

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The five buildings will include one aircraft engine maintenance building with office space, one aircraft storage facility and three detached warehouses. 

When the planning permission was first sought by Apex Aviation through the county council, Michael Duffy - who has an address in Clare, Kilnefora - objected to the development. 

“It is my opinion that this planning application is compromised to such an extent that it should be summarily refused planning permission”, he wrote in his submission.

The man further elaborated: “I note that Tipperary County Council is the owner of the lands and that it has provided a letter of consent for the subject planning application. Given that the Council is also the Planning Authority it seems to me that there may be a conflict of interest in deciding this application.”

“A purchase of the land subject to planning permission is wholly inappropriate and a planning application should not proceed on that basis.”

When planning permission was granted on condition, Michael Duffy then appealed the decision to the Comisiún on the grounds that multiple reports by government bodies had not been done for the site, and because the warehouses’ purpose given in the planning permission  is “extremely vague”. 

Michael Duffy previously went to the High Court to oppose the construction of a Supermacs in Clare. 

During the case, RTÉ previously referred to the Clare-based engineer as a local environmentalist.  

An Comisiún Pleanála is expected to come to a decision regarding the development by mid March, 2026.