Power to overturn planning decisions to be abolished

The power of councillors to overturn planning decisions is to be abolished as part of the biggest overhaul of local government in more than a century.

The ambitious reform proposals, unveiled by Environment Minister Phil Hogan, plans to eliminate section 140 of the Local Government Act 2001.

This will ensure that councillors will no longer be allowed to overturn the decisions of planning officials. They will also no longer be permitted to direct the executive in respect of planning functions.