Measures to stop land hoarding, create a more efficient planning system, and greater access to information, would start addressing the issue, writes Kieran Rose

A large majority of county councillors in Cork are seeking to formally register their opposition to an incinerator project in Ringaskiddy.

On the eve of an oral hearing into plans for an incinerator in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, the man driving the project for the past 16 years has admitted to “feeling sorry” for the residents of the area.

It is 15 years since the residents of Ringaskiddy heard about plans for an incinerator in their backyard. They tell Catherine Shanahan their opposition to the project has not dimmed.

Sixteen years later and €12m poorer, Indaver is no less committed to building an incinerator in Ringaskiddy. On the eve of yet another oral hearing and with a third planning application under scrutiny, Indaver Ireland chief John Ahern tells Catherine Shanahan that he’s upbeat about their chances of success.

It drives spin-off business in Kinsale to the tune of around €10m every year. Little wonder the reopening yesterday of the acclaimed Old Head golf links for 2016 has the town smiling. It isn’t just a boon for golfers, writes Tony Leen

A local authority has agreed to quash planning approval for a bathing changing area at the home of a neighbour of film-maker Neil Jordan, the High Court has heard.

Residents of a Co Cork village are shocked at revelations that 40,000 tonnes of incinerator ash could be buried every year at an unused landfill on their doorstep.

The Government should consider removing the rights of people to object to proposed developments as it is hugely costly, causes delays, and is not necessary, the Irish Planning Institute’s annual conference heard.

Most of the Planning Acts requirements for an appeal are mandatory

Tesco Ireland has failed in its bid to halt German discount retailer Lidl’s expansion here.

Twenty years after a lobby group protested in Brussels over the poor state of a Co Kerry peninsula road, serious discussions have finally commenced on finalising land acquisition for the national secondary route.

Submissions have been made in relation to the proposed Albert Quay office development, for which Owen O’Callaghan has sought permission in Cork’s south docklands.

Waste management company Indaver is in talks with Cork County Council to bury, in a mothballed landfill site, up to 40,000 tonnes of ash yearly from a proposed €160m controversial incinerator project in Ringaskiddy.

The High Court has dismissed a challenge brought against An Bord Pleanála’s refusal to grant planning permission for a nine-screen cinema, café, and retail units in Navan, Co Meath.

County councillors have voted unanimously to notify Bord Pleanála of their total opposition to Indaver Ireland’s plan to build a €160m incinerator in Cork harbour.

An Bord Pleanála is facing as many legal challenges now as it did during the building boom, with a growing proportion of its decisions being taken for judicial review.

Last week, I described appealing a decision of the Planning Authority to grant or refuse planning permission, which is in the news following a recent High Court case. 

An order restricting operations on a windfarm in Cork has been stayed until June to allow the developer seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal’s findings it acted in “material” breach of planning permission.