Planning Permission: Firms Shun Public Projects
Construction firms dodge public projects amid delays, risking Ireland’s building boom.
The Construction Industry Federation reports most members avoid public sector work. Firms cite lengthy planning permission processes and judicial review risks as key barriers. This stance hampers government infrastructure goals, with private developments favoured instead.
Sector leaders highlight chronic bottlenecks in securing planning permission. Local authority delays and appeals to An Coimisiún Pleanála extend timelines beyond viable limits. Developers face high chances of legal challenges, eroding project feasibility for taxpayer-funded schemes.
Public tenders demand rigorous compliance, amplifying exposure to An Bord Pleanála decision uncertainties. Flood-risk development rules and environmental impact checks add layers of scrutiny. Firms prefer housing scheme approvals in private markets, where timelines prove shorter.
Government pushes reforms via the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025 to counter avoidance. New rules suspend permission clocks during judicial reviews and allow extensions for stalled housing. Ministers aim to unlock thousands of units by easing material contravention fears.
Despite changes, federation warns private bias persists without deeper fixes. Faster processing and reduced litigation risks could draw firms back. For now, public projects lag, stalling schools, hospitals, and roads nationwide.
Industry data shows nearly 19,000 housing units hit by reviews over five years. Completed cases saw permissions shortened, deterring bidders. Officials urge temporary extensions for unstarted sites to boost delivery.
- Judicial review delays now excluded from permission lifespans.
- Up to three-year extensions for nearing-expiry housing plans.
- Apartment design tweaks permitted without fresh applications.
- Local plans extended to ten years for stability.
Builders call for mandatory decision timelines across all stages. Enhanced resources for planning bodies might rebuild trust in public work. Homeowners and developers eye these shifts for smoother planning permission paths ahead.
Originally reported in The Irish Independent on Fri, 19 Dec 2025 06:02:43 +0000. Full story
