Planning review finds no corruption in councils

There will be significant reform of the planning system despite a Department of Environment review finding no criminality or corruption across seven local authorities.

An external inspector will now oversee recommendations from the report which include altering guidelines for planning, and improving the transparency of decisions made by city and county councils.

Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan yesterday published the review. She said planning systems needed to serve communities, not developers, but said the review “ did not find any prima facie evidence of malfeasance in any of the seven local authorities subject to inquiry”.