Record appeals put strain on planning board

Record levels of planning appeals received by An Bord Pleanála are placing a severe strain on its resources, it was claimed today.

Up to the end of September the numbers were up 14% on the figure for 2006 and are expected to top 7,000 by the end of the year, the Board’s chairperson John O’Connor revealed.

Last year 5,930 appeals were lodged and 5,946 in 2005.

The hike, reflecting an increase in the amount of planning applications to local authorities, has caused a 4% drop in the number of cases dealt with in the required 18-week statutory period.

Mr O’Connor said: “The record intake of planning appeals in 2005 and 2006 is set to be surpassed in the current year and this is putting severe strain on the Board’s resources.

“As a result, it is proving difficult to maintain the satisfactory performance in terms of the time taken to determine appeals.”

Mr O’Connor said the board was taking measures to deal with the backlog and to meet the target of disposing of 90% of cases within the 18-week timeframe.

It currently stands at 49%.

“It appears that the continuing high volume of appeals reflects the general increase in planning applications to local authorities and is not due to an increase in the rate of appeal, which has consistently remained at around 7% nationally,” Mr O’Connor said.

The report shows that appeals have also increased because of the jump in cases dealing with large housing developments, quarries, and wind farms.