ORE planning inspectors are being hired by An Bord Pleanala to cope with a "massive increase" in the number of planning appeals, which has reached record levels because of continuing economic growth.
The level of appeals in 1995 was 19 per cent more than 1994 and this year's figure is expected to be up by a further 20 per cent. Almost one-third of all appeals are now made by third parties compared to just a quarter 10 years ago.
The board's annual report for 1995 shows that the decisions made by local authorities were confirmed in 41 per cent of the 2,527 cases determined during the year, amended in 36 per cent and reversed in 23 per cent.
Mr Paddy O'Duffy, the board's chairman, stressed that it was an independent tribunal and said that there was "no political interference" with its decisions. He also denied that the board tended to facilitate major development projects.
In "appropriate cases", the board would take account of public policy, including economic development and job-creation. But he said it would be only in "exceptional cases" that this be a material consideration.
The 1995 annual report includes the full text of the board's rationale for approving the controversial Masonite fibreboard plant on the banks of the River Shannon near Drumsna, Co Leitrim, and several other key planning decisions.
Setting out the board's position 20 years after the legislation which set it up was passed, the chairman stressed the openness of the system and said that the new provision for access to inspectors' reports had proved very popular"
Copies are sought by the public in some 70 per cent of appeals. He revealed that, in the period January to June of this year, the board had "accepted the general thrust" of its planning inspectors' reports, in 88 per cent of cases.
As a further step to more openness, Mr O'Duffy said that An Bord Pleanala would have its own Web site on the Internet later this year to provide electronic mail facilities as well as lists of appeals, decisions and other data.
He cited a number of important cases where planning permission had been refused - such as a proposed shopping centre in Bray, Co Wicklow, earlier this year and, more recently, an application to demolish a grainstore in Wexford to build apartments.
He added that routine appeals were normally handled by subcommittees of the six-strong board, each comprising three members, but all important or contentious cases - such as the Masonite plant in Leitrim - were determined by the full board.
"The board's procedures are such that no single person, be it a board member, an inspector or other staff member, can ensure what the board's decision will be in a particular appeal", the chairman declared. "There is no hidden agenda."
