Planning Permission Controversy: New Housing Plan Criticised as Favouring Big Developers
Concern rises over a new housing plan perceived to prioritise large developers, stirring debate about planning permission fairness in Ireland.
The recent housing plan introduced amid efforts to accelerate home building has sparked opposition claims that it primarily benefits big developers over smaller builders or communities. Critics argue this approach could undermine equitable housing scheme approval and sideline local needs in favour of large-scale projects.
This controversy comes at a time when Ireland’s planning system is undergoing major reforms, including changes to planning permission rules, environmental impact assessments, and appeal processes. The Planning and Development Act 2024 introduced a revamped planning authority, An Coimisiún Pleanála, with streamlined decision deadlines to speed development without compromising oversight.
One key focus is ensuring that housing developments align with the updated development plans and avoid material contraventions. However, opposition voices highlight that the new plan appears designed to facilitate approvals for large developers, potentially expediting An Bord Pleanála decisions in favour of big projects rather than community-friendly or flood-risk development concerns.
Government officials defend the changes by emphasizing that extensions of planning permissions for housing projects nearing expiry now allow those who have not started construction to maintain their permissions. This legislative update aims to unlock stalled developments and avoid unnecessary lapsing, which delays housing delivery. Importantly, judicial review delays no longer count against the permission period, helping to clear legal hurdles that previously held back projects.
These reforms have been praised for aiming to balance faster housing delivery with environmental safeguards. Enhanced environmental impact assessments have been integrated to comply with EU law, ensuring sustainable development remains central to approvals. Nonetheless, the debate continues over whether the current framework sufficiently protects local communities or merely accelerates large developers’ interests.
As the housing crisis intensifies, the planning process remains a battleground between measures that promote rapid housing scheme approval and those demanding careful consideration of planning permission compliance, flood-risk development, and environmental impact.
Originally reported in on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:38:35 +0000. Full story
