Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 2

Written Answers. - Planning Appeals.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

91 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment if he will introduce an appropriate amendment to the statutory provisions regarding planning appeals to extend the period of time allowed for third party submissions following a decision by the local authority to refuse planning permission and the lodging of an appeal by the developer; if he will request An Bord Pleanála to notify all objectors to an original planning application to a local authority that an appeal has been submitted; and if he will further direct An Bord Pleanála to introduce an appeals list similar to the planning lists drawn up by local authorities in view of the fact that delays in distributing the local authority planning lists which include a list of appeals submitted to An Bord Pleanála very often mean that residents associations have no time to submit third party observations regarding planning appeals as they did not receive the information in sufficient time and the statutory time period for these observations has elapsed. [15180/95]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

Section 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1992, enables third parties to make submissions or observations in relation to an appeal to An Bord Pleanála within one month of the receipt of the appeal by the board. When a planning authority has made a decision in relation to a planning application, it is required to notify the decision to the applicant and to any person or body who has made submissions or observations to them. Article 62 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994, requires An Bord Pleanála to prepare a weekly list of new appeals received, and of appeals determined, dismissed or withdrawn, no later than the third working day following a particular week. This list is displayed in the office of the board for a minimum period of one month and upon request a copy will be sent to any person or body.

These arrangements provide ample opportunity for interested third parties to keep themselves informed regarding the different stages of the process and there are no proposals to change them.