Kerry County Council is to offer a new "on-site pre-planning service" in an attempt to free up planning for one-off houses on family-owned lands. The development is part of an agreement between the county manager, Mr Martin Riordan, and councillors. There has been bitter division between most councillors and management in Kerry over planning in rural areas. Until recently, council meetings have been dominated by motions from councillors directing the manager to grant permission, often against the advice of planners and engineers.

