The Environment Minister has announced an organisational review of An Bord Pleanála.

The independent board is responsible for the determination of planning appeals, among other things.

It was initially established under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1976.

In a statement, Minister Alan Kelly says he considers that now is an 'opportune time' to undertake the review 'to ensure that it is appropriately positioned for the future'.

Minister Kelly added that the review is being carried out "in the context of the recovering national economy, the further potential expansion of the Board’s remit and the increasingly challenging national and EU legislative and regulatory context in which it operates."

Approximately six months is the proposed timeframe for the review, with a report and recommendations being submitted to the Minister by the end of the year.

The review group will be chaired by Mr Gregory Jones of Queen’s Counsel, London.