By Michele Canning Smith

THERE appears to be little hope for people in the Strabane district, intent on pursuing an appeal of a planning decision.

That's the comment from a West Tyrone MLA, now demanding that more resources are ploughed into planning, after it emerged that there are huge backlogs in Strabane and Omagh.

Barry McElduff's call comes as the number of appeals of planning decisions has increased in both districts.

He said the Planning Appeals Commission is unable to meet its clearance, and there is an overall 120% increase on last year's appeals.

"I am concerned at the backlog in West Tyrone," said the Sinn Féin MLA.

Mr McElduff had submitted a written question to the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to detail the backlog of planning appeals at the end of June.

As of June 30, there were 199 appeals outstanding in the Omagh District and 172 outstanding for Strabane.

Furthermore, from April 2006 to March 2007, there were 11 successful appeals of 28 decisions made in Omagh, a success rate of 39%.

During the same period, there were only three successful appeals of 27 decisions made regarding cases in Strabane, a success rate of 11%.

"I beleve that PPS 14 and the blanket ban on building in the countryside has contributed to an appeal culture. An appeal is now the first resort as the Divisional Plannng Office is slow to grant office meetings to resolve planning issues, and site meetings no longer occur.

"This has all contributed to what can only be regarded as a mess," said Mr McElduff

In his capacity as a member of the OFMDFM, he is calling for greater resources. He also suspects that many of the appeals come from rural area applications.

"We need more resources and more Commissioners to first of all address the backlog. I also feel the planning laws need to be relaxed regarding rural development," said Mr McElduff. "With only three of 27 appeals successful in Strabane, it would appear there is not much hope otherwise. An appeal is a cumbersome process and very costly."