Planning

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

Northern Ireland’s High Court has rejected several grounds of challenge against planning permission for a GAA stadium in Casement Park, Belfast. In a post script, Mr Justice Michael Humphreys also rebuked counsel over an expert witness who said the planning permission was "unlawful", which dem

A judge in Northern Ireland's High Court has rebuked lawyers over an expert witness who said the planning permission at the centre of the case was "unlawful". Mr Justice Michael Humphreys made the remarks after rejecting several grounds of challenge against planning permission for a GAA stadium in C

Allegations of conflicts of interest within An Bord Pleanála risk undermining public confidence in the planning system, the Irish Planning Institute has warned. Remy Farrell SC was appointed by ministers in April to investigate allegations concerning the Board's deputy chairperson Paul Hyde,

Prominent barrister Remy Farrell SC has been appointed to investigate allegations concerning a board member of An Bord Pleanála. The move is believed to relate to a series of reports published by website The Ditch which accuse the board's deputy chairperson Paul Hyde of conflicts of interest,

The new maritime area consent (MAC) regime for renewable energy developments has come into effect, with the first consents expected to be issued to developers in the second half of 2022. The new regime enables the minister for the environment to issue MACs on an interim basis pending the establishme

Developers in Northern Ireland will again be required to hold a public event as part of the pre-application process for major planning applications following the expiration of the temporary suspension. The requirement, which has been suspended since 1 May 2020, will be reinstated for proposed of app

Regulations allowing for vacant pubs to be converted into homes without planning permission have been extended until 2025. Nearly 1,400 vacant pubs have been converted into homes since the exemption was introduced in 2018, and it will now be extended until the end of 2025.