RESTRICTIONS on one-off housing in rural areas are set to become the biggest issue in next year’s local elections unless the Government follows through on its plans to reform planning legislation, the Irish Rural Dwellers Association (IRDA) has warned.

U2 BAND member David Evans — The Edge — was in the High Court yesterday for the second day of a hearing on his challenge to a Bord Pleanála decision.

PLANS to build a €300 million windfarm in Co Mayo are in doubt as fears grow that planning permission for the development will be appealed to Bord Pleanala.

MOST of the objectors to the proposed N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown bypass withdrew their objections yesterday.

A MAN has lost a bid to have either the Supreme Court or the European Court of Justice decide legal issues arising from his unsuccessful bid to bring a legal challenge to the granting of planning permission for a gas terminal in connection with the Corrib gas field.

AN Bord Pleanála confirmed yesterday that it has received objections to two so-called ‘green projects’ in Co Cork.

ANYONE refused planning permission by a local authority has little chance of winning with An Bord Pleanála because he or she does not have the resources to employ an architect, engineer or environmental health officer to get the advice needed to overturn the decision.

PRESSURE was mounting on the Government last night to stop the State’s first toxic waste incinerator being built after two new studies found an increased incidence of stillbirths, deaths and heart disease in the vicinity of incinerators.

NEVER in the history of mankind has so little been learned about so much by so many. The Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis was like a sort of Pinocchio-fest.

SUZANNE HOLMES and her husband like to plot their next move. And now the animal-loving couple can after being granted planning permission to be buried with their dogs and horses near their home in Waterford.

THE €140 million Jury’s Hotel site redevelopment in Cork city, planned by O’Callaghan Properties, has been given the go-ahead by Cork City Council.

YOU will be aware of An Bord Pleanála’s decision to uphold Meath County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a municipal waste incinerator in the heart of the Boyne Valley, close to the Unesco World Heritage site of Brú na Boinne and on the footprint of the Battle of the Boyne.

A TAX-driven holiday homes scheme is set to be marketed at the back of the former Killarney Ryan Hotel — also currently being re-developed following its sale last year.

TRANSPORT Minster Seamus Brennan’s radical plans for the Dublin Airport metro could be derailed if he tries to curtail the public consultation process.

A PERIOD home set on 150 acres with 80 acres zoned for housing has been sold for €24 million.

THE ink is barely dry on fast-track planning proposals unveiled yesterday by Environment Minister Dick Roche and already serious questions are being raised about the ramifications of the coalition’s bid to accelerate major infrastructural projects.

THE Hill of Tara constitutes the heart and soul of Ireland. Our ceremonial and mythical capital, its very name invokes the spirit and mystique of our people, and is instantly recognisable worldwide.

A TOWN with 10,000 homes is to be built in west Dublin after approval was granted by An Bord Pleanála yesterday.

NO objections have yet been lodged following the recent publication of the planned route for a new road linking Waterford and Dublin.

CONSTRUCTION will begin next year on both the Waterford City bypass and the long-awaited Waterford to Dublin route, Transport Minister Martin Cullen has confirmed.