Karen Walsh: Rules are very strict for local authority planning appeal

Most of the Planning Acts requirements for an appeal are mandatory

A few weeks ago, a Cork couple succeeded in overturning a decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a wind farm near their home.

The wind farm developer, Cleanrath Windfarm Ltd, was initially turned down for planning permission to construct 11 turbines up to a height of 126m, and other structures, including an 85m meteorological mast, at Cleanrath, Co Cork by Cork County Council, only for that decision to be overturned later by An Bord Pleanala.