Government introduces Planning and Development Amendment Bill 2026 to speed up new planning rules

The Government has introduced the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 to the Dáil to support the phased commencement of the remaining provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024 later this year.

Speaking at the Second Stage of the Bill, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy John Cummins, outlined that the legislation focuses on five key areas to ease the transition from the older legislative framework.

Transition to Ten-Year Development Plans

The Bill amends Part 3 of the 2024 Act to speed up the move to new plan-making. It introduces a deadline of 31 December 2027 for completing the review of the three regional spatial and economic strategies. Additionally, the Bill will allow planning authorities to amend the expiration dates of current development plans for a defined maximum period between February and December 2030. This new expiration date will trigger the adoption of new ten-year development plans, requiring local authorities to begin the making of new plans between July next year and July 2028 at the latest. The Bill also clarifies that all development plan reviews must be carried out under the 2024 Act only.

Judicial Review Changes Extended to 2000 Act

To accelerate planning dispute resolutions, the Bill extends the procedural rules for planning judicial reviews introduced in the 2024 Act to any remaining decisions or acts made under the Planning and Development Act 2000. These procedural rules, which were brought into operation in August 2025, include removing the requirement to apply for leave to apply for judicial review proceedings. Extending these provisions to 2000 Act decisions is intended to speed up the transition and allow the new rules to have an impact during the second half of this year.

Infrastructure and Regulations

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is also finalising revised regulations to accompany the 2024 Act. The Bill seeks to complete several actions assigned to the Department following the Government's approval of the 2025 accelerating infrastructure plan to support the delivery of critical infrastructure projects.