Planning Permission: Government’s Tone-Deaf Housing Fix?
Frustrated readers blast government housing advice as ignoring core planning permission barriers amid Ireland’s crisis.
Recent letters in The Irish Independent highlight public anger over official housing guidance. Critics argue it overlooks fundamental issues in securing planning permission. Instead of tackling delays from appeals and reviews, advice urges individuals to build their own homes, seen as impractical for most. This approach fails to address systemic bottlenecks stalling large-scale developments.
Government reforms like the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025 aim to speed up processes. These include suspending timelines during judicial reviews and extending uncommenced permissions by up to three years. Yet, letter writers contend such measures dodge the root problem: an outdated system prone to An Bord Pleanála decision uncertainties and material contraventions that block progress.
Housing scheme approval remains elusive due to rigorous environmental impact checks and flood-risk development rules. Developers face high litigation risks, deterring bids on public projects like schools and roads. Private markets fare better with shorter timelines, but overall supply lags far behind demand.
The “Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025–2030” plan promises 300,000 new homes by streamlining zoning and infrastructure. Property groups welcome it, but skeptics say it favors big developers over community needs. Without fixing planning permission delays, goals risk falling short.
Debate intensifies as EU rules and local reforms push for balance. Streamlined permits could boost affordable housing while upholding safeguards. Letter contributors demand bolder action on appeals and local authority slowdowns to unlock stalled sites.
- Judicial reviews no longer count against permission periods, aiding housing scheme approval.
- Apartment design changes allowed without new applications, reducing material contravention fears.
- Local development plans extended to 10 years for stability.
- Infrastructure investments target flood-risk development with proper assessments.
These steps signal progress, yet public frustration persists. Experts urge faster An Bord Pleanála decision timelines and fewer barriers to meet 2030 targets. As property taxes rise with 2025 revaluations, linking fiscal policy to planning permission adds pressure on families.
Ireland’s housing plan integrates renewables with fixed decision windows of 4-52 weeks. This supports sustainable growth without compromising environmental impact reviews. Still, critics in letters call for holistic reform to prioritize people over process.
Gen Z savers push forward despite delays, highlighting urgency. Uisce Éireann’s major infrastructure bid ties into housing delivery, pending planning permission. Town regeneration models emphasize compact growth and clear pathways.
Originally reported in The Irish Independent on Sun, 21 Dec 2025 07:18:09 +0000. Full story
