Planning

Two consultations have been launched on proposed changes to Northern Ireland's planning system which will better protect the environment and make the application process more efficient. The first consultation seeks vies on proposals to revise permitted development rights to make it easier and quicke

An environmental organisation has launched High Court proceedings against the proposed expansion of an alumina refinery in Co Limerick. The RUSAL-owned Aughinish Alumina facility refines bauxite into alumina, which is used in the production of aluminium. There has also been quarry blasting on the si

Quashed planning decisions can now be remitted by the courts back to a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála for reconsideration under legislative changes aimed at preventing delays to developments. The changes provided for by section 22 of the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuatio

New planning exemptions for the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of houses and certain non-domestic buildings have been brought into effect. The regulations signed into law by housing minister Darragh O'Brien aim to bring Ireland into line with the EU's Solar Rooftops Initiative by makin

An Bord Pleanála's code of conduct will be updated by the middle of next month to provide "unambiguous guidance" on conflicts of interest, the government has said. The Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) yesterday published its report on the first phase of its review into the planning body

A comprehensive review of Irish planning legislation being undertaken by Attorney General Paul Gallagher SC is now expected to be completed by the end of the year. Mr Gallagher was appointed last September to supervise a team of planning law experts working on a review “of unprecedented scale&

A senior counsel's report on allegations concerning a former member of An Bord Pleanála will not be published pending the outcome of a criminal investigation into its findings. The report, produced by Remy Farrell SC with assistance from Chris Mills BL, was submitted to housing minister Darra

Conleth Bradley SC will lead the first part of an urgent review of An Bord Pleanála, the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) has announced. The OPR has initiated a review of certain systems and procedures used by An Bord Pleanála in the delivery of its statutory planning functions.

Prosecutors have been asked to consider whether criminal charges should be brought following a senior counsel's report into allegations concerning a former member of An Bord Pleanála. The report, produced by Remy Farrell SC with assistance from Chris Mills BL, examines allegations around the

A senior counsel's report on allegations concerning a former member of An Bord Pleanála has been presented to ministers. Remy Farrell SC was appointed in April to examine the issue after a series of reports published by website The Ditch accused the board's then deputy chairperson, Paul Hyde,

Controversial legislation aimed at reducing "unnecessary judicial reviews" of planning decisions has been approved by the Oireachtas. The Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2022 amends the Planning and Development Act 2000 to streamline the substitute consent procedure

The Supreme Court has determined that developers are not required to submit a distinct identifiable document in a planning application for a strategic housing development under article 299B of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The appeal resolved a difference of judicial opinion in two

New planning regulations will allow for the fast-tracking of temporary accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland. Certain classes of temporary development, including residential accommodation, undertaken by or on behalf of a State authority, to provide protection to displaced persons from Ukra

More houses and buildings will be able to install solar panels on their roofs without any requirement for planning permission under proposals now out for consultation. The consultation, which will close on 13 July 2022, follows a review of the solar panel planning exemptions set out in the Planning

Planning law changes introduced to increase home ownership and restrict the practice of bulk purchasing by institutional investors have led to almost 16,000 residential units being ring-fenced for individual buyers. Housing minister Darragh O'Brien yesterday published a progress update on the minist