Planning Permission Crisis: Collison Urges Action
Frustrated by Ireland’s housing shortage? Stripe co-founder John Collison demands urgent fixes to stalled planning permission processes blocking progress.
John Collison, the Irish tech billionaire behind Stripe, voiced strong criticism over Ireland’s persistent lack of housing and infrastructure. He argued that citizens have every right to feel exasperated with the slow pace of development approvals. Collison highlighted how delays in planning permission hinder essential projects nationwide, leaving many without homes or modern facilities.
Speaking at a recent event, Collison pointed to outdated systems and bureaucratic hurdles as key barriers. He stressed that Ireland’s population growth demands faster An Bord Pleanála decisions on major schemes. Without streamlined approvals, he warned, the country risks falling further behind in meeting housing targets set by government plans.
Collison called for bold reforms to accelerate housing scheme approvals, especially amid rising demand in urban areas. He noted specific bottlenecks like prolonged reviews for large-scale developments. Experts echo his views, linking these issues to insufficient infrastructure investment alongside residential builds.
Addressing flood-risk development concerns, Collison advocated balancing environmental safeguards with practical needs. He suggested smarter material contravention policies to allow flexible adaptations in environmental impact assessments. Such changes, he believes, could unlock thousands of stalled units without compromising standards.
Collison’s remarks align with ongoing debates in planning circles. Recent data shows average planning permission wait times stretching beyond eight weeks in busy counties. Local authorities face mounting applications, exacerbating backlogs for everything from family homes to commercial sites.
- Key delays stem from public objections and detailed site evaluations.
- Rural areas struggle with local needs criteria for one-off houses.
- Urban zones grapple with density rules and transport links.
- Tech leaders like Collison push for digital tools to speed validations.
The entrepreneur urged political leaders to prioritise infrastructure alongside housing. He compared Ireland’s challenges to faster-building nations, questioning why similar efficiency can’t apply here. Collison’s platform amplifies calls from developers seeking planning permission reforms to match economic growth.
Industry observers note that pre-application consultations could cut delays if used more widely. Tools like online portals from local authorities help track planning permission status in real-time. Yet, Collison insists comprehensive overhaul remains essential for true progress.
For those navigating applications, experts recommend early engagement with councils. Reviewing local development plans prevents mismatches early on. Services like AI-assisted reports and interactive maps aid in spotting An Bord Pleanála trends and past housing scheme approvals.
Collison’s frustration resonates with self-builders facing environmental impact hurdles or flood-risk development rejections. He emphasised public pressure as a catalyst for change, predicting momentum if frustration turns to action. Stakeholders await government responses to these high-profile critiques.
Originally reported in The Irish Independent on Fri, 27 Feb 2026 10:35:39 +0000. Full story
