Over a quarter of planning decisions overturned

An Bord Pleanala overturned 27% of local authority planning decisions last year, according to figures released by the planning appeals body today.

Most decisions were overturned in Co Leitrim, where 63% of appeals brought before the board were upheld.

Co Wexford was next on the list with 53%, followed by Cavan with 47%.

John O'Connor, the chairman of An Bord Pleanala, said his organisation has now cleared a backlog of appeals, but he expressed concern about the quality of environmental impact statements he received, saying incomplete documents are frequently delaying the planning process.