National Planning Framework
National Planning Framework: First Revision
The national planning strategy to 2040, as revised in April 2025: where growth goes, and the national policy objectives regional and local plans must be consistent with.
Government of Ireland · April 2025 · 195 pages
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of National Planning Framework: First Revision, each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- Wexford Retention Pond The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are leading out on the integration of Nature-based solutions for the sustainable management of surface water runoff. The benefits of this approach for water quality and flood risk protection, biodiversity provision, amenity enhancement, placemaking and public health have been demonstrated internationally. Nature-based solutions are also key climate adaptation features providing additional protection during heavy rainfall events. An important co-benefit is the potential improvement in the quality of public spaces for public enjoyment. Wexford Retention Basin has been designed to mimic natural wetland characteristics which function to slow the flow and filter surface water runoff from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage head offices in County Wexford, during rainfall events. Provision of an ornamental footbridge over the retention basin further increases the aesthetic and public access. Appropriate design and planting schemes maximise the biodiversity benefits supporting a wide range of plants and animals. Nature-based solutions provide multiple benefits and a range of techniques which can be applied to developments at different scales addressing climate, water quality, biodiversity, amenity and placemaking objectives. Case Study National Planning Framework First Revision | Page 139
- Green and Blue Infrastructure Our environment is an asset that if planned for in the same way as for other forms of infrastructure, can provide long term benefits. Green and blue infrastructure provide a range of uses, goods and services and make the best use of land, water and help manage competing demands and can complement other sectors. Green infrastructure is an interconnected network of green space that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions that also provides associated benefits to the human population. It is a strategically planned network of natural and seminatural areas with other environmental features designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. It incorporates green spaces (or blue if aquatic ecosystems are concerned) and other physical features in terrestrial (including coastal) and marine areas including features of cultural heritage significance. Connectivity between these spaces can also be beneficial for people to provide for improved permeability, thus supporting sustainable travel modes and recreational networks, in addition to clean air and better water quality. Implementing green infrastructure features creates a greater sense of community, strengthens the link with voluntary actions undertaken by civil society, and helps combat social exclusion and isolation. Green and blue infrastructure creates opportunities to connect rural and urban areas and provides appealing places in which to live and work. An attractive environment is important for mental and physical health, tourism and a vibrant, well planned area with good amenities will contribute to attracting skilled employees and investment to underpin longterm development. Cultural heritage assets contribute significantly to the attractiveness of areas and provide a sense of identify and well-being to residents and visitors alike. Our natural assets are also valuable for carbon capture, which will assist in meeting climate mitigation and adaptation goals and national biodiversity targets. Green and blue infrastructure planning will inform the preparation of regional and metropolitan strategies and city and county development plans by: Assisting in accommodating growth and expansion, while retaining the intrinsic value of natural places and natural assets; Providing increased certainty in planning by proactively addressing relevant environmental issues; Encouraging more collaborative approaches to plan-making by enabling examination of the interactions between future development requirements and the capacity of receiving areas; and Ensuring that sufficient and well planned green spaces, is commensurate in scale to long-term development requirements, are designated in statutory plans. National Policy Objective 82 Integrated planning for Green and Blue Infrastructure will be incorporated into the preparation of statutory land use plans while maintaining ecosystem services and ecosystem functions and conserving and/or restoring biodiversity. It is also important to consider the interrelationships between biodiversity, natural heritage, landscape and our green spaces. Green Belts and Green and Blue Spaces The importance of well-protected “green” and “blue spaces” such as parks, rivers, ponds and wild areas in the urban landscape is now recognised as a key part of urban landscapes that are needed for healthy communities and also offer the potential for climate adaptation co-benefits. These spaces in our cities, towns and villages play an integral role as part of the fabric of our settlements, either through their use for community recreation and amenity purposes, supporting biodiversity or as a natural delineation of the settlement itself, forming the interface between urban and rural areas. Green spaces and parks have a role in determining the quality of life in and sustainability of, our settlements. Green belts adjoining our urban areas also fulfil a strategic purpose, as a potential asset for future, planned development as an urban extension, particularly at a city scale. National Policy Objective 83 Identify and strengthen the value of greenbelts and green and blue spaces at regional, city and local scales, to enable enhanced connectivity to wider strategic networks and prevent coalescence of settlements and to allow for the long-term strategic expansion of urban areas. Promote and support an increase in the provision of green and blue spaces and tree canopy cover in settlements. Page 140 | National Planning Framework First Revision
- Strategic Planning for Biodiversity The Habitats Directive contains obligations to protect certain species wherever they occur, while the Birds Directive contains protections for all birds, and they may only be disturbed or controlled subject to licence or derogation, as appropriate. The Wildlife Acts also afford certain protections to aspects of Irish wildlife. The diversity of our biological communities is also important for the quality of our water, soils and as a source of food. The importance of our biodiversity is not restricted to legally protected areas and there are a range of measures in place to protect species and habitats more broadly in the wider countryside, including birds as required under Article 4 of the Birds Directive. The Global Biodiversity Outlook (UN 2020) has identified the importance of conservation measures undertaken to date in limiting species extinctions but also the lack of joined-up policies to prevent biodiversity loss, the extent of the biodiversity crisis and the need for immediate action to avoid irreversible losses. This includes managing land use change as a driver of biodiversity loss globally both within and outside of protected areas. In recent years, there has been increasing awareness globally of the biodiversity crisis. Several reports have highlighted the further decline in biodiversity. Ireland’s Sixth National Report to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity reported that 85% of protected habitats in Ireland are in unfavourable status and 46% are declining, while 14% of species assessed were considered as endangered. Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and through the transposition of EU laws and Wildlife Act we are obliged to act to conserve biodiversity and prepare a National Biodiversity Action Plan. Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023- 2030, was launched in January 2024. Implementation of actions within the Plan will contribute towards the 2050 vision that Biodiversity in Ireland is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people. In terms of national legislation, the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2023 play an important role in underpinning biodiversity and nature conservation in Ireland. The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2023 provides for the first time a statutory basis for our National Biodiversity Action Plans, with the commitment to produce a plan every three to five years. The SEA Directive provides for the consideration of biodiversity, flora and fauna and the interrelationship with other relevant environmental topics e.g. water, landscape and human health, when undertaking environmental assessment at plan/programme level. 75 Heritage Council (2024) Local Authority Biodiversity Action Plan Guidelines The Environmental Impact Assessment Directive also requires that the direct and indirect significant effects of a project on biodiversity, with particular attention to species and habitats protected under the Birds and Habitats Directives are identified, described and assessed as part of the consent process. It is also important to recognise the interconnection of climate and biodiversity from an all-Island perspective. The All-Island Climate and Biodiversity Research Network (AICBRN) brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines across the island of Ireland who are undertaking research in climate and biodiversity topics. By the end of 2026, all Local Authorities are to have a Biodiversity Action Plan in place, in line with the National Biodiversity Action Plan. In accordance with national guidelines75, these BAPs identify key network connections which are important for local biodiversity but can also link designated sites to habitats across local authority areas, ensuring greater potential for species dispersal and colonisation. Aligning land use plans with BAPs can play an important role in protecting these features and strengthening networks for biodiversity to ensure no net loss. Nature Restoration The EU Nature Restoration Law seeks to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems by 2050. 80% of EU habitats are in bad or poor conservation status. The EU Nature Restoration Law provides an opportunity to restore nature, both nationally and across the wider EU region. Nature restoration can also deliver substantial co-benefits for climate action such as carbon emissions reduction from the land use sector, as well climate adaptation and resilience through the enhancement of natural buffers against flooding and coastal inundation. It is a target of the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) to publish a National Restoration Plan by 2026, which is to set out the procedures for designation of nature restoration areas and corresponding policies. National Policy Objective 84 In line with the National Biodiversity Action Plan and European Union Nature Restoration Law, and best available scientific information, regional and local planning authorities shall support the preparation and implementation of the National Restoration Plan. National Planning Framework First Revision | Page 141
- National Policy Objective 85 In line with the National Biodiversity Action Plan; the conservation, enhancement, mitigation and restoration of biodiversity is to be supported by: • Integrating policies and objectives for the protection and restoration of biodiversity, including the principles of the mitigation hierarchy of - avoid, minimise, restore and offset - of potential biodiversity impacts, in statutory land use plan. • Retention of existing habitats which are currently important for maintaining biodiversity (at local/regional/national/international levels), in the first instance, is preferable to replacement/restoration of habitats, in the interests of ensuring continuity of habitat provision and reduction of associated risks and costs. National Policy Objective 86 In line with the objectives of the National Biodiversity Action Plan, planning authorities should seek to address no net loss of biodiversity within their plan making functions. National Policy Objective 87 Enhance the conservation status and improve the management of protected areas and protected species by: • Implementing relevant EU Directives to protect Ireland’s environment and wildlife and support the objectives of the National Biodiversity Action Plan; • Developing and utilising licensing and consent systems to facilitate sustainable activities within Natura 2000 sites; • Continued research, survey programmes and monitoring of habitats and species. 76 Refer to Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage and relevant standards and guidance. National Policy Objective 88 Facilitate the protection and restoration of biodiversity [including in European sites and the habitats and species for which they are selected] through the preparation of national guidance in relation to Planning and Biodiversity to: • Plan and manage for integration of biodiversity protection and restoration in future planning and development; • Ensure a consistent and strategic approach to biodiversity protection and restoration across planning authorities and administrative boundaries, and • Support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2023-2030) and the forthcoming National Restoration Plan. Natural and Cultural Heritage Ireland has an abundance of iconic natural heritage areas such as internationally recognised world heritage sites, turloughs and peatlands and cultural heritage sites of UNESCO world heritage importance such as Brú na Bóinne, Great Skellig. There are many other nationally distinct areas, that are not only a key part of our cultural heritage but also important to our tourism industry and for their contribution to quality of life and the attractiveness of places for economic investment. Our national parks and nature reserves are also key natural assets that offer potential to further optimise the visitor experience of state owned lands, through delivery of quality outdoor activity infrastructure and essential ancillary facilities. Ireland’s archaeological heritage is a major cultural and scientific resource, enabling us to understand our history in all its aspects and how the peoples of Ireland have lived in, and interacted with, the environment. Archaeological heritage is also a vulnerable resource, which may be impacted on by a wide range of external factors. Ireland is party to the 1992 European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (the Valletta Convention), a key objective of which is the integration of archaeological heritage as a consideration in the planning and development process76. The protection of archaeological heritage is recognised as a core component to achieving sustainable development. Page 142 | National Planning Framework First Revision
- Geological heritage (geoheritage) is part of the natural heritage of an area that comprises geodiversity elements with particular geological value, and which are worthy of safeguarding for the benefit of present and future generations. County Geological Sites (CGSs) are the best examples of geological heritage in each local authority area, and they are promoted and protected by specific objectives contained within County Development Plans. CGSs have been adopted in the National Heritage Plan, and they form a major strand of geological nature conservation to complement the various associated ecological and cultural conservation measures. Separately, geoparks are geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. National Policy Objective 89 Protect, conserve and enhance the rich qualities of natural, cultural and built heritage of Ireland in a manner appropriate to their cultural and environmental significance. Built Heritage Ireland’s built heritage assets are a non-renewable resource that merit being nurtured in a manner appropriate to their significance as an aid to understanding the past, contributing to community well-being and quality of life as well as regional economic development (refer to Chapter 5.3). National Policy Objective 90 Enhance, integrate and protect the special physical, environmental, economic and cultural value of built heritage assets, including streetscapes, vernacular dwellings and other historic buildings and monuments, through appropriate and sensitive investment and conservation. Landscape Ireland’s landscape offers a wealth of natural and cultural assets which support our quality of life and our visitor economy. We have a duty to future generations to use these assets responsibly whilst making our existing infrastructure work harder to deliver more benefits. The protection, management and planning of the landscape is also interconnected with the National Landscape Strategy for Ireland, and a national landscape character assessment, which, when finalised, will provide consistency in how we characterise and connect with the landscape. National Policy Objective 91 Facilitate landscape protection, management and change through the preparation of a National Landscape Character Map and development of guidance on local landscape character assessments, (including historic landscape characterisation and including coastal landscapes and seascapes) to ensure a consistent approach to landscape character assessment, particularly across planning and administrative boundaries. National Planning Framework First Revision | Page 143
- Brú Na Bóinne National Park The purchase by the State in December 2023 of the 552-acre estate of Dowth Hall and Netterville Manor in County Meath was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure in the ownership of the Irish people one of the most significant such properties on the entire island given its archaeological, architectural, cultural, historic and natural heritage significance. The lands contain the EU Habitats and Birds Directive Natura 2000 sites River Boyne and Blackwater Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area. They are of international importance, designated in 1993 as the UNESCO World Heritage Property of Brú na Bóinne, incorporating a remarkable landscape of Outstanding Universal Value, dominated by the Neolithic Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Comprising approximately a third of the total land area of the World Heritage Property, the purchase of Dowth creates the establishment of a new National Park- the Brú na Bóinne National Parkto be managed, cared for and operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Services, the Office of Public Works and the National Monuments Service. With a large demographic catchment area in the Belfast-Dublin corridor, the establishment of the new National Park offer potential multiples in terms of heritage and biodiversity conservation, public benefit, sustainable access to the environment, health and well-being, educational/research resources, and economic, tourism and community benefits. The new National Park, for which a Masterplan is under development, will become another component in the remarkable heritage tourism offering of Ireland’s Ancient East. copyright: Ken Williams Case Study Page 144 | National Planning Framework First Revision
- 9.4 Creating a Clean Environment for a Healthy Society 77 Refer to Water Framework Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Bathing Water Directive and Drinking Water Directive. 78 97% of sites meeting or exceeding the minimum standard, of these, 79% had excellent water quality. (EPA, 2023) Water Quality Ireland’s rich water resources are of strategic importance and clean water is essential for creating a healthy society and supporting a growing economy77. Our drinking water is primarily sourced from our rivers and lakes as well as from groundwater sources. It is essential that we have a resilient water supply to serve the existing population and for the additional 1 million people projected by 2040. Our water bodies are also a resource for leisure activities and for the tourism sector and the vast majority of our bathing waters are of very high quality78. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consider urban waste water to be one of the principal pressures on water quality in Ireland and the treatment and disposal of waste water in an environmentally sound manner is critical for human health. This means that we need to ensure adequate treatment and capacity, storm water overflows operating correctly and that we avoid direct discharges of untreated waste water. Urban waste water treatment plant compliance and remedial actions are therefore a key short term priority. In the longer term, capacity issues need to be resolved to meet growing demand to 2040 and beyond. In plan-making and decision-making within the planning system, decision makers should consider both the capacity of the receiving environment to accommodate the development of water and wastewater infrastructure in line with statutory environmental legislation, and the potential to align planned growth with existing water and wastewater infrastructural capacity, to the extent feasible. Uisce Éireann publishes annual water supply and wastewater treatment capacity registers, which can assist with this process. At the household level, it will also be necessary to be more vigilant to the risks of contamination to private wells as a source of drinking water and failures in domestic waste water treatment systems. National Policy Objective 92 Ensure the alignment of planned growth with the efficient and sustainable use and development of water resources and water services infrastructure, in order to manage and conserve water resources in a manner that supports a healthy society, economic development requirements and a cleaner environment. National Planning Framework First Revision | Page 145
- Air Quality Ireland benefits from prevailing weather patterns which typically bring relatively clean southwesterly Atlantic air over the country. Under certain conditions, typical weather patterns can be disrupted, and pollutant emissions build up in the air. These conditions can occur at any time of the year, but the impact on air quality can be particularly severe during winter, when the combination of cold, still weather, and increased emissions associated with a higher heating demand, particularly from solid fuels, can lead to high concentrations of pollutants with a consequent increased risk to human health. Pollutants can be produced depending on how we travel, consume goods and heat our homes. In our largest urban areas, air pollution levels can be higher, primarily as a result of exhaust emissions from vehicles and from residential heating emissions. In some rural areas, particularly where there is no access to the gas grid, air quality can be poor during the winter due to a reliance on solid fuels such as coal, peat and wood for home heating. Port-related activities can also have localised impacts on air quality. Air pollution can have negative implications for the health of our citizens and the attractiveness of cities and towns. Measures which seek a reduction in fossil fuel based energy sources will further reduce air pollution. Implementation of this Framework will assist in reducing emissions and help prevent people being exposed to unacceptable levels of pollution by supporting public transport, walking and cycling as more favourable modes of transport to the private car and the promotion of energy efficient buildings and homes and innovative design solutions. The careful planning of green spaces and vegetation are also important for air quality in urban areas, as trees naturally remove pollutants from the air and help better manage urban micro-climates. The Clean Air Strategy79 provides the high-level strategic policy framework necessary to identify and promote the integrated measures across government policy that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner ambient air, while delivering on wider national objectives. 79 Clean Air Strategy for Ireland, Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, 2023 80 EPA: https://www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/noise/noise-mapping-and-action-plans/ National Policy Objective 93 Improve air quality and help prevent people being exposed to unacceptable levels of pollution in our urban and rural areas through integrated land use and spatial planning that supports public transport, walking and cycling as more favourable modes of transport to the private car, the promotion of energy efficient buildings and homes, heating systems with zero local emissions, green and blue infrastructure planning and innovative design solutions. Noise Environmental noise is defined as unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activity, such as noise emitted by means of transport, road traffic, rail traffic, air traffic, and industrial activity. It becomes a problem when it occurs at a level, frequency and duration that can give rise to annoyance, and sleep disturbance. As we seek to promote more compact and efficient forms of development within our settlements, it is important to more proactively manage noise. In addressing these issues the NPF will support: Noise Management and Action Planning Measures to avoid, prevent, mitigate, and minimise or promote the pro-active management of environmental noise, where it is likely to have significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life, through strategic noise mapping80, noise action plans and suitable development plan objectives and planning conditions. Noise, Amenity and Privacy This includes but is not limited to, good acoustic design for proposed new developments, in particular residential development, through a variety of measures such as setbacks and separation between noise sources and receptors, good acoustic design of buildings, building orientation, internal layout, building materials and noise barriers and buffer zones between various uses and thoroughfares. Cognisance of competing demands between internal acoustics, ventilation and thermal comfort and the design of private external amenity areas is essential so that developments can be enjoyed as intended. Page 146 | National Planning Framework First Revision
- Quiet Areas The further enjoyment and protection of natural resources, such as our green spaces and sea frontage, through the preservation of low sound levels or a reduction in undesirably high noise levels, is particularly important for providing respite from high levels of urban noise. As part of noise action plans, an extra value placed on these areas, in terms of environmental quality and the consequential positive impact on quality of life and health, due to low environmental noise, can assist in achieving this. National Policy Objective 94 Promote the pro-active management of noise where it is likely to have significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life and support the aims of the Environmental Noise Regulations through Strategic Noise Maps, Noise Action Plans and national planning guidance. Light Pollution It is recognised that adequate lighting is necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment, however, both urban and rural settings can be affected by light pollution. Light spillage from inadequately designed lighting is increasingly recognised as a potential nuisance both within the built environment and also is a threat to wildlife and their habitats, particularly in relation to European sites and to light-sensitive protected species. Protection from artificial light pollution can be addressed through avoidance, scientific assessment and minimisation impacts through design measures. National Planning Framework First Revision | Page 147
- Implementing the National Planning Framework 10 The success of the National Planning Framework depends on its policy reflection and programme delivery at national, regional and local level. Implementation of the Framework will therefore be combined with streamlined governance arrangements and focused public capital investment priorities. Page 148 | National Planning Framework First Revision
Source Government of Ireland: National Planning Framework: First Revision (April 2025) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.