Cork officials call for planning board revamp

Cork county councillors are to urge Minister Eoghan Murphy to put more professional planners on the board of the highest planning authority in the country. It comes amid concern that many recommendations by An Bord Pleanála’s inspectors are being overruled by its existing board. As they debated the motion by Independent councillor Marcia D’Alton, the majority of councillors were wearing ‘No Incinerator’ t-shirts, which are being sold to raise funds for a judicial review being taken by CHASE (Cork Harbour for a Safe Environment) against An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant Indaver planning permission for an incinerator in the harbour. Despite the inspector’s report recommending Indaver be refused planning permission, An Bord Pleanála gave the company the green light to build the incinerator in Ringaskiddy. Ms D’Alton, an environmental engineer, pointed out that just three members of the 10-person board are planners.

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