An Bord Pleanála denies 'change in policy emphasis' in approving telecommunications masts

An Bord Pleanála says it does not formulate policy around planning decisions.

An Bord Pleanála has insisted it does not formulate policy around planning decisions, despite a board member telling an investigation into its decisions a “change in policy emphasis” had encouraged the erection of telecommunications masts.

A recently-ended two-year investigation by senior counsel Lorna Lynch into planning matters at the agency concluded an undesirable “statistical anomaly” existed in terms of An Bord Pleanála inspectors’ recommendations to refuse permission for such masts being overturned by two specific board members.