Group demands planning appeal refunds

A COMMUNITY organisation has claimed every planning appeal it has lodged with An Bord Pleanála in the last two years has been overturned — despite the board’s inspector recommending refusal in each case.

Bishopstown-based Communities for Sustainable Development has written to the board demanding that all the money it has paid for appeals should be returned.

In the letter, addressed to board chairman John O’Connor, CSD spokesman Mick Murphy said: “We were assured by the authorities of this country and by the press releases from your organisation that by paying the required fee of €210 and complying with the stringent ABP rules and conditions, we as members of the public could rely on fair and impartial decisions on planning matters.