ENVIRONMENT Minister Martin Cullen has denied opposition claims that he has insufficient expertise to make planning decisions.

THEY may have lost the battle against the creation of a €56 million superdump, but people living in a small rural community in Cork are determined they will have their say on a new monitoring committee set up to ensure it’s run to the highest possible standards.

THE controversial re-ordering of a cathedral in Co Cork is to be the subject of an An Bord Pleanála oral hearing.

A BLUEPRINT for the multi-billion euro redevelopment of Cork’s north docks area, that includes 1,500 new homes and a 5,000-seat national events centre, was launched yesterday.

THE South Gate is the gateway to the medieval city of Cork. The present bridge was built as early as 1713.

U2 rocker The Edge yesterday lost his High Court bid to quash a decision of An Bord Pleanala refusing him planning permission for a major extension at his home at Sorrento Cottage, in Dalkey, Co Dublin.

A YOUNG Kerry hurler may have to demolish the walls of a €180,000 house he started to build without planning permission in a scenic area.

PLANNING problems with proposed mobile phone masts in Kerry are continuing, with four further refusals in recent weeks.

RESIDENTS welcomed an An Bórd Pleanála decision yesterday to refuse planning permission for a controversial €200 million housing development around a historic Cork home.

PEOPLE power is the only thing that will force big businesses to lower their prices, according to one Meath woman who has already succeeded in getting cheaper grocery prices for her hometown.

MILLIONAIRE businessman and leading Fianna Fáil supporter Jim Mansfield looks set for another major confrontation with the planning authorities over his plans to build a €50 million conference centre as part of his Citywest complex in south-west Dublin.

A HOST of international academics and historians have joined a campaign to save Ireland’s most precious heritage site from damage by motorway construction.

AN BORD Pleanála was not subjected to any external pressure in relation to the €900 million Corrib Gas project, the head of the authority said yesterday.

FOR the last six years, I have been involved in trying to help contain the effects of current policies regarding housing development in my area of Co Wexford - Murrintown/Mayglass.

THE first phase of the €3 million ‘Banks of the Lee’ walkway, first suggested almost 20 years ago, was finally opened to the public yesterday.

FORMER Junior Minister Ivor Callely could be forced to scrap guest accommodation he built at his holiday home if he loses an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

WHAT law is it that allows five innocent men to be jailed in order to facilitate the construction of a pipeline carrying untreated gas through their lands?

WELL, it is now official. Waterford business leaders have, through the chamber of commerce, declared Waterford the city of Luddites.