New Development Plans Must Include Community Infrastructure Strategies Under Planning Act 2024
Saturday 3 October 2026
Planning authorities preparing new development plans will be required to introduce dedicated sustainable community strategies and conduct infrastructure audits to keep pace with housing delivery, the Dáil has heard.
New development plans must include dedicated strategies to align community amenities with residential delivery under the Planning and Development Act 2024, the Dáil has heard.
Responding to parliamentary questions regarding community infrastructure deficits in growing residential areas, Minister of State James Browne outlined statutory mechanisms designed to integrate public services with housing output.
Under the Planning and Development Act 2024, planning authorities preparing a new development plan will be required to produce a strategy for the creation, improvement, and preservation of sustainable places and communities. This strategy must establish statutory objectives covering amenities, facilities, and services to meet social, community, recreational, and cultural demands.
National policy objective 105 of the revised National Planning Framework (NPF) directs planning authorities and delivery agencies to prioritise enabling infrastructure on zoned residential lands. National development plan guidelines further require local authorities to carry out community, social, and cultural infrastructure audits for locations designated for significant growth. Authorities are also obligated to consult infrastructure providers during the plan-making stage and may apply planning conditions requiring financial contributions toward public facilities.
Deputy Barry Heneghan highlighted ongoing delivery gaps in north Dublin, noting that residents in Belmayne and Clongriffin continue to face pressures on transport, schools, and childcare. Heneghan pointed out that the Land Development Agency (LDA) currently has 408 homes under construction in phase 1 at Clongriffin, with 711 proposed for phase 2, alongside further potential on neighbouring Stapolin lands.
In response, Browne noted that funding for community infrastructure spans multiple government departments. To assist implementation, the Department has established a Housing Activation Office backed by the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund, alongside a new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund that has replaced the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).