NEWLY discovered 2,000-year-old ruins at the ancient Hill of Tara site must be fully preserved because of their unique size and character, according to a US academic.

A FEAR that damage might be caused to an important spawning river in Kerry was one of the reasons given by An Bord Pleanála for turning down a planning application for a multi-million euro development, it emerged at the weekend.

Rose Martin says The Lodges has privacy and views of Kenmare Bay.

MORE than 700 entries have been received by the promoters of a €280m development planned for Waterford city centre in a public competition to name the retail element of the scheme.

THE 2006 Planning Act facilitating the fast-tracking of strategic infrastructure development should only be used with great discretion as it does not lead to open and transparent planning.

TRAFFIC congestion and an inadequate water supply in Kenmare, Co Kewrry, are among the main reasons for the refusal of planning permission for a controversial development which had been earmarked for the town.

DESPITE huge public support in north Kerry for a new Tesco supermarket in Listowel, An Bord Pleanála has rejected plans by the retail giant to open in the town.

ANTI-INCINERATION groups have criticised An Bord Pleanála’s decision yesterday to grant permission to Indaver Ireland to increase the size of its Co Meath incinerator by a third.

THE Turf Club is still awaiting a final decision from An Bord Pleanala to enable construction of the much publicised new grandstand at the Curragh to commence.

THE Garda security operation at the Shell refinery site in north Mayo has cost the State €8.1 million to date, according to new figures.

TOO many one-off rural houses are getting planning permission on sites unable to deal with the sewage that would be generated by the occupants, the country’s leading planning officials have warned.

RECORD numbers of planning disputes are causing growing delays in decisions on contentious developments.

SO, An Bord Pleanála have confirmed what anyone with even a passing interest in Ireland’s disappearing countryside has known for at least a decade.

THE Government has been accused of double standards after Enterprise Ireland yesterday began research into the potential for conversion of biomass and waste products into fuels and energy.

PASSENGERS travelling through Dublin Airport can expect a better experience with the opening a €120 million facility on Sunday.

A PLAN to provide nearly 500 free bikes across Dublin in exchange for more than 100 outdoor advertisement spaces met with opposition yesterday.

A RESIDENTS’ challenge by to a €75 million plan for the State’s first hazardous waste incinerator in Co Cork will be profoundly affected by the European Commission’s decision to bring a legal action against Ireland, the High Court was told yesterday.

AN astonishing 7,000 people signed a petition supporting it, and now it appears the people of Kanturk are going to get their way.

AN BORD PLEANÁLA has given the go-ahead to the controversial incinerator project in Environment Minister John Gormley’s constituency, causing an immense headache for the Green Party leader.

PROPOSALS for the largest single housing development outside of Dublin, estimated to be worth €875 million, have been turned down by local authority planners.