Landmark Planning and Development Bill approved by Houses of the Oireachtas

Once in a generation reform updates and streamlines planning system providing clarity, consistency and certainty
The landmark Planning and Development Bill 2023 concluded in the Houses of the Oireachtas tonight, (Wednesday, 9th October) and will now go to the President of Ireland to be signed into law. 
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, welcoming the Bill’s passage through the houses of the Oireachtas, said: 
“This is a pivotal moment for Government in our efforts to ensure we have a planning system that is fit for purpose, both now and into the future. In Housing for All, we committed to overhauling our planning legislation to ensure it was fit for purpose. This legislation does just that by providing clarity, consistency and certainty for all users. 
“Because of this legislation we will have a planning system which matches our strong ambitions for housing delivery and critical infrastructure over the coming decades. 
“This legislation is the third largest piece of legislation in the history of our State. It is the culmination of a 15-month review which was ordered by then Taoiseach Micheál Martin and carried out by the former Attorney General Paul Gallagher. First published in January 2023, it underwent widespread consultation and has been subject to more than 175 hours of debate across both houses of the Oireachtas. I want to extend my thanks to all those who have engaged constructively on this Bill and to bringing it to this point.” 
Key reforms included in the Bill: 

• The introduction of statutory timelines for all consenting processes, to give confidence and certainty to applicants; 
• A significant reorganisation of An Bord Pleanála, to be known as An Coimisiún Pleanála;
• Greater mandatory alignment of all tiers of planning, improving consistency; 
• Improvements to the planning judicial review processes;
• Clearer, more consistent policies and guidance; 
• Longer term, more strategic, ten year plans for Local Authorities;  
• More agile local implementation, through the introduction of Urban and Priority Area Plans, including new bespoke plans for Gaeltacht and Island communities; 
• Creation of Urban Development Zones, which will facilitate a more plan-led approach to development, increasing certainty at the master-planning stage; 
• Provisions to deter abuse of planning processes through spurious planning submissions and appeals, as well as a ban on requesting payment for not opposing development and;
• Ability to suspend the duration of a permission while subject to judicial review proceedings, so as not to lose any time available for completing the development.

Alan Dillon TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning said: 
“This Bill reflects the importance of planning to our Country as a whole. It is momentous not only in its size, but in its significance to nearly every aspect of people’s lives, from housing delivery to critical infrastructure to future proof our country. 
“I have always said that working hand in glove with this Bill will be the additional resources we need to implement it and to that end the extra funding I secured in Budget 2025 will help to make sure our planning system, including An Bord Pleanála and our local planning authorities, has the staff and resources to underpin this transformation.”   
Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD added: 
“Protection of our natural, built and archaeological heritage is vital as our country’s population continues to grow. A robust planning regime with public participation at its core is a cornerstone of how we conserve our shared heritage. This Bill will help us to achieve our common goal.”
Minister O’Brien concluded: 
“As I’ve always said, once enacted, this Bill will be commenced on a phased basis to ensure a smooth transition from the current to the updated processes. This will be supplemented and supported by updated planning regulations; a new resourcing action plan and a programme of communication and training with stakeholders and the public.”