Tired drivers hoping for a much-needed pitstop at motorway service stations in Cork will have to hang on longer as An Bord Pleanála has shot down the first two applications for such facilities.

The Port of Cork has unveiled computer-generated simulations of plans for a €100m upgrade of its facilities in Ringaskiddy.

An Bord Pleanála has refused permission to create the first private cemetery in Cork, saying it could endanger the public water supply and create a traffic hazard.

It will be summer at the earliest before any major work gets under way to make safe a toxic waste dump in Cork harbour, city officials have said.

A residents’ group has brought a legal challenge aimed at overturning Bord Pleanála’s grant of planning permission for a development of several wind turbines near their homes in Co Cork.

Details of the Port of Cork’s latest plans to build a multi-million-euro cargo terminal at Ringaskiddy will go on public display next month.

Entrepreneur Jay Bourke said yesterday that he is delighted with the performance of his Market Bar, with figures showing that the business recorded pre-tax profits of €407,372 in 2012.

A “laughing stock" of a rule which bans telecommunications masts from being erected within 1km of houses and other residential buildings in Kerry is to be retained.

The Government was yesterday accused of "political sharp practice" for sanctioning, a week before the local elections, a €30m grant of taxpayers’ money to help fund the €70m regeneration of Pairc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.

The Government has sanctioned a €30m grant to help fund the GAA’s ambitious €70m regeneration of Cork’s flagship Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium.

Contracts worth almost €2m have been signed to upgrade the Haulbowline Island bridges to facilitate the multi-million clean-up of the former Irish Steel toxic dump site.

There are hopes work can soon commence on upgrading one of the country’s top tourist routes, a project that would also include cycleways.

A failure by An Bord Pleanála to consider the needs of cyclists and pedestrians when it refused permission for a major road-widening scheme extending 28km between Tralee and Daingean in Co Kerry has led to a High Court order overturning that refusal.

The housing minister has ordered a fresh probe into the planning system in six local authorities.

THIS year marks an important anniversary.

Work should be clear to proceed on a redevelopment of the Dell computer plant in Limerick into a €300 million medical manufacturing facility after withdrawal of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

The withdrawn plans for a major new office complex on Cork’s Albert Quay have been replaced with a new application from joint developers BAM Property Ltd & Progressive Commercial Construction Ltd.

Plans for the €70m upgrade of Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork have been given the green light by the council.