Local authorities are charging "indefensible" development levies on apartments compared to conventional houses, according to the chairman of An Bord Pleanála, John O'Connor.
He said that the impact of these levies was "driving development out to greenfield sites" - contrary to the planning policies of some of the local authorities involved, which are aimed at developing "brownfield sites" in inner urban areas.
Mr O'Connor cited Limerick City Council's development levy scheme, under which apartments with a floor area of 75 sq m (807 sq ft) incur a levy of €7,500 while the equivalent charge for a 112 sq m (1,205 sq ft) house is only €3,800.
This showed a "serious bias" against apartments and was "creating incentives for urban sprawl", he said. A similar discrimination was being shown against underground car parks, "with obvious undesirable planning consequences".
Mr O'Connor said it was "quite clear that local authorities with low rates are running better planning regimes and are probably better staffed as well". The proportion of local planning decisions appealed to the board remained unchanged at about 7 per cent.
