Planning

Strategic housing developments (SHDs) are set to be scrapped and replaced following a series of judicial review challenges in a shake-up of planning law for large-scale residential developments (LSRDs). A new bill, which the government hopes to enact in the autumn, will introduce alternative streaml

New planning guidelines and legislation are set to be introduced to mitigate against the bulk purchase of houses and duplexes and allow for the earmarking of houses in certain developments for owner occupiers. Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said the measures, developed in conjunction with Finance

The temporary suspension of the requirement to hold a public event as part of pre-application community consultation on major planning applications has been extended until the end of September 2021. The latest extension will allow major planning applications to continue to be submitted during the Co

The High Court has refused an application to grant An Bord Pleanála leave to appeal a decision to overturn a planning permission for high-rise accommodation in Finglas. The controversial development permission had previously been quashed in July 2020 by Mr Justice Denis McDonald, who had conc

The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland has dismissed a company's application for judicial review of a decision to allow an appeal against an enforcement notice targeting a quarry. Coulters Hill Residents Ltd (CHR) had applied for leave to apply for judicial review of the decision of the Planning Ap

The High Court has quashed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a development in the “Connolly Quarter” development scheme. The development included 741 “build-to-rent” apartments behind Connolly Station in Dublin. Background

Mr Justice Richard Humphreys has quashed An Bord Pleanála’s (ABP) decision granting planning permission for the construction of buildings taller than allowed for in the development scheme for the Docklands. Background

Planning law reforms could help reduce the price of renewable electricity in Northern Ireland, a prominent energy lawyer has said. Richard Murphy, partner at Pinsent Masons and head of the international law firm's Irish energy group, today called on the Northern Ireland Executive to take action to h

Strict architectural heritage protection laws could be reviewed in order to encourage renovation of derelict urban properties, according to reports. Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien is considering a review of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000, according to The Irish Times.

Legislation which will streamline the forestry licensing process by limiting who can appeal and introducing new fees will be presented to the Dáil within the next two weeks. The public consultation on the Agriculture Appeals (Amendment) Bill, which has been sharply criticised by environmental

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal taken by James Kenny in a long saga of litigation related to the construction of student accommodation. Background

The High Court has granted an injunction against a quarry operating near the Leannan River Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Background

Northern Ireland's Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) is set to hold its first virtual pilot hearing next week. The landmark hearing will take place on Tuesday 30 June, closely following the first virtual planning hearing in Scotland earlier this week.

A legal row has developed between Belfast residents and the Chinese embassy over the construction of a new wall at the Chinese consulate in Belfast. Residents living near the Chinese consulate in Belfast have secured an injunction in the High Court against the construction of a new wall on the site.

Northern Ireland's Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) has announced plans to pilot remote hearings in selected cases within the next four to six weeks. The announcement follows repeated calls from lawyers and the construction industry for Northern Ireland's planning system to catch up with the rest o