Planning Permission Cleared for €1.3bn Dublin Drainage Scheme
Major planning permission has been secured for a €1.3 billion Dublin drainage project after Uisce Éireann reached a settlement, allowing construction to move forward.
Uisce Éireann, Ireland’s national water utility, has confirmed that the long-delayed Dublin drainage scheme will now proceed. The project, valued at €1.3 billion, is a critical piece of national infrastructure designed to modernise Dublin’s wastewater and stormwater systems. The green light follows a legal settlement that removed a key obstacle to the project’s planning permission and construction timeline.
The settlement resolves outstanding issues that had previously stalled the project, including concerns related to land access, environmental impact, and legal challenges. With these matters now settled, Uisce Éireann can advance detailed design work and begin site preparation. The project is expected to significantly reduce flood risk in parts of the capital and support future housing and economic development in the region.
This development is particularly important for areas prone to flooding, where existing drainage infrastructure is under increasing strain. The new system will enhance capacity, improve water quality, and reduce the risk of sewer overflows into rivers and coastal areas. As a large-scale flood-risk development, the project required rigorous assessment, including detailed environmental impact studies and close coordination with local authorities and An Bord Pleanála.
Local communities and developers will benefit from the increased certainty around infrastructure capacity. The project’s approval supports wider housing scheme approval and regeneration plans in Dublin, where reliable utilities are essential for sustainable growth. By addressing long-standing drainage constraints, the scheme also helps avoid future material contravention of planning and environmental standards.
Uisce Éireann has stated that construction will begin in the coming months, with phased works across the city. The utility will continue to engage with residents, businesses, and local councils throughout the build. Traffic management, noise mitigation, and protection of local amenities will be prioritised, in line with standard planning conditions for major infrastructure projects.
For property owners and developers in the affected areas, this means improved prospects for new builds, extensions, and renovations, as the underlying infrastructure constraints are addressed. Those planning projects in Dublin should still check local development plans and consult their council, but the resolution of this major scheme removes a significant regional bottleneck.
Anyone considering a development near the project corridor should review the latest maps on MyPlan.ie and consult their local authority for site-specific advice. While this is not a direct An Bord Pleanála decision on a typical housing scheme, it is a nationally significant planning permission that will shape development patterns in Dublin for decades.
For those navigating the planning permission process, this case highlights how large infrastructure projects can influence local opportunities and constraints. It also underlines the importance of understanding environmental impact, flood-risk development rules, and how settlements and legal agreements can ultimately clear the way for major works to proceed.
Originally reported in on Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:24:11 +0000. Full story
