CONTROVERSIAL plans for Ireland’s first bio-diesel production plant have been approved despite the advice of a senior planner.

SANTA’S GROTTO is coming to Mayo - but Father Christmas has to set up shop in a building that town councillors were told was not fit for public use.

SENIOR County Council planners will be in Mallow, Co Cork, tonight to address concerns about the speed of housing developments, difficulties in securing planning for one-off houses and the lack of community amenities.