The appeals board has given Pat Crean’s Marlet Group the green light in spite of strong local opposition against the plan.

A feature of being an elected councillor again, is the capacity to attend workshops and seminars on policy areas pertinent to local government, writes Dan Boyle.

A 17-storey apartment complex in Cork city has been approved by An Bord Pleanála despite recommendations from planners at Cork City Council that it be refused, it has emerged.

"Strategic marine activity zones" may be designated in coastal and offshore waters as part of the Government's new approach to marine planning.

The development of the site beside St Anne's Park led to protests by locals last year.

Plans for the demolition of a former public toilet and council store near the promenade in Youghal have been approved, despite objections from local residents.

An Bord Pleanála has said it will continue to prioritise large-scale housing appeals after its latest annual report showed it granted permission for more than 7,100 housing units and almost 4,500 student bed-spaces during 2018.

That is according to a new report commissioned by Tayto Park as part of its planning battle to secure planning permission for a new steel €14m rollercoaster for the visitor park.

Property developer Michael O’Flynn has made many contributions to public debate. In his latest offering, he has helpfully pointed out that buying a house is still beyond the reach of many people and he blames Central Bank regulations for this socially destructive reality.

Newstalk's Pat Kenny and his wife, Kathy have emerged victorious in their battle against plans for three apartment blocks and seven houses on a site adjacent to their Dalkey home.

Approval has been granted for the opening of a new off-licence on the site of a former bookmaker’s shop at Dillons Cross in Cork City, despite objections by local residents.

Forecourt operator Applegreen is leading the charge against plans by Supermac’s owner Pat McDonagh to build a €10m motorway plaza on the Limerick to Galway motorway.

Michael and Rose Murray had the dream home in mind, to be built where Michael had grown up. A house double their initial plans was constructed and the family have been living there for over a decade. The only problem is planning permission was never granted, writes Caroline O’Doherty.

The National Planning Conference gets underway in Kilkenny later, with unfinished housing estates and the Mahon Report set to dominate proceedings at the two-day event.

There are calls today for An Taisce to withdraw its highly critical report on local planning practices around Ireland, after the heritage body admitted it was flawed.

Council chiefs in Donegal have accused a leading environmental association of bias after they ranked it bottom of the pile in a league table for good planning.

A businessman at the centre of alleged planning corruption is being held by gardaí today.

Planning Minister Ciaran Cuffe says there no "God given right" for people to build houses in the countryside simply because they were born there.

Environment Minister John Gormley is to review the planning policies of six local authorities.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has utilised a rarely-used power to overturn a string of land re-zonings approved by Monaghan County Council.

The Irish planning system is dysfunctional and open to abuse, a leading architect claimed today.

Fees to object to planning applications should be abolished, it was claimed today.

Government partners the Progressive Democrats are to challenge Minister for the Environment Dick Roche in the Seanad today over planning conflicts of interest in local authorities.

The Government tonight denied that lifting its cap on retail superstores will create ghost towns and cause traffic chaos around Ireland.

Independent business organisation ISME has condemned the decision by the Government to remove the cap on retail planning guidelines, branding it as a direct attack on smaller indigenous retailers and suppliers.

The Government has lifted its cap on the size of retail outlets in Ireland, paving the way for furniture superstore Ikea to enter the Irish market.