A mischevious appeallant to An Bord Pleanala has succeeded in delaying for over 4 months a development (to which my property is attached). Why? So that another nearby development can get a head start without the competition of 'our' development. As a result of the delay our developer loses his chance of the tax break.Surely this can't be right; particularly since the appeallant has never been anywhere near the area?

welcome to the most democratic planning system n europe!!!!!!

Though flawed, I'd choose a planning system with the provision for third party appeal over one without any day. It's not the system's fault if some people don't play fair.
I'd say 'Welcome to the most me feinish population in Europe' instead.

Do you know who the appellant was? Are you sure that was their reason?

Hi ctesiphon; yes I am sure that that was the reason but of course it will never be proven. How do I know? In conversation with the other developer, he expressed 4 reasons for his surprise that we had planning permission. The 'independent' appeallant repeated these exact reasons (although 2 were totally invalid). A co-incidence? Never. But proof? Only circumstantial. Sure, it's good to have an appeal process but there should be safeguards to avoid abuse. Why should a private individual with no connection to the area, have the right to object? That's what has happened in this case and you have probably read of a similar situation with 2 of your highest profile polititions. And of course, you the tax-payer, have to pick up the cost of the appeal!