Commissioners
There are currently 20 Commissioners who are members of both the Planning Appeals Commission and Water Appeals Commission.
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chief Commissioner | Miss Andrea Kells BA MSc LLB MRTPI |
| Deputy Chief Commissioner | Ms P O'Donnell BSc DipTP MRTPI |
| Principal Commissioners | Mr M Watson BSc DipTP MRTPI Mr P Duffy BSc (Hons) Dip UD MRTPI |
| Senior Commissioners | Mr K Donaghey BSc MRTPI Ms J McParland BSc MRTPI Ms C McDonagh BSc DipTP MRTPI Ms L Roddy BSc (Hons) MSc MRTPI PIEMA Mr G Kerr BSc MSc MRTPI Mrs T Harbinson BSc DipTP MRTPI Ms C McKeary BSc (Hons) MSc MRTPI Vacant Vacant |
| Commissioners | Ms D McShane BA MTP MEPPA MRTPI Ms B Stevenson BSc MSc MRTPI Mr K Gillespie BA (Hons) BPl MLegSc MRTPI Mr K O’Connell BA MSc MRTPI Mr G McCallion BSc (Hons) LLM DipTP MRTPI Mrs R Taylor BSc EvP Dip TCP MRTPI Ms H Ellison BSc MSc MRTPI Vacant |
| Membership of WAC | All Commissioners |
Publications
Each year the Chief Commissioner publishes an Annual Review on the work of the Commission. This Report sets out the background to the Commission, casework statistics and information on performance measures/targets.
The Commission also produces a Corporate Plan 2024-2027. The Corporate Plan outlines the Commission’s Mission, Values and Priorities over a three year period. The Business Plan 2025-26 has been published and is also linked within.
This Action Plan September 2026 has been published in response to ‘Recommendation 2’ of the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report ‘A Strategic Review of the Planning Appeals Commission’. As outlined in our published response to the NIAO report, the reporting period assessed by the NIAO covered a particular period in time and the Commission has moved on since. The “backlogs and long delays” referred to in the report no longer exist. Only one longstanding case remains in the appeal system for reasons beyond our control. All ‘Hear and Report’ cases are progressing with the exception of one which is also due to circumstances beyond the Commission's control.
Building upon the actions taken to date, the Commission will endeavour to adhere to the recommendations insofar as we can. The subject Recommendation advocated more certainty and confidence around the timescales for delivery of Commission caseloads. It recommended that we should develop and publish detailed plans to clear the long-standing cases in each workstream. These plans should include timelines for clearing backlogs and regular monitoring by NICTS.
Other publications include Criteria for Allocation and Recovery of Decision Making on Appeals (Word 795 KB). Other relevant documents are posted on the website as they become available.
Commission Meetings
Minutes of Commission meetings where decisions are made by a panel of Commissioners are available on the website from 2010 to the current year.