Big fall-off in Bord Pleanála appeals

BUSINESS at the planning appeals board, An Bord Pleanála, almost halved in two years as the slump in building took hold.

A total of 3,786 new cases were lodged last year, down 32% on the 2008 figure of 5,571, but a drop of 44% on the record 2007 figure of 6,664.

Chairman John O’Connor said the slowdown had enabled staff to make considerable headway in clearing a backlog of cases.