Here is today's round-up of town planning news from around Ireland, covering industry warnings over the end of turnkey social housing purchases, the new short-term letting legislation, a rural housing refusal in north Mayo, a Kilcock change-of-use referral, the Murrough masterplan consultation in Galway and water capacity limits on housing in north Cork.
Builders and housing bodies warn over end of turnkey social housing purchases
Developers and housing sources have told TheJournal.ie that the Government's plan to stop accepting funding applications for turnkey social housing purchases after December 2027 could cause a dip in completions from 2028, because many private schemes, particularly apartments, rely on pre-agreed sales to councils or Approved Housing Bodies to secure bank finance. Senior council officials were more positive, saying earlier involvement at design stage would give them more say over the type of homes provided, while UCD's Professor Michelle Norris warned that social housing output would decline significantly unless councils and housing bodies first build up land banks and construction capacity. Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin said the change needs a five-year transition period.
Source: TheJournal.ie (25 October 2026) (https://www.thejournal.ie/turnkey-housing-plans-7202063-Oct2026/)
Short-Term Lettings and Tourism Bill introduced in the Dáil
The Short-Term Lettings and Tourism Bill 2026 completed First Stage in the Dáil on 23 October; it gives effect to an EU regulation on short-term rental data and makes Fáilte Ireland responsible for a national register of short-term lets, with fixed payment notices for hosts and financial sanctions for online platforms. Alongside it, new planning rules will bar councils in areas with populations over 20,000 from granting new permissions to convert homes into short-term lets. The Department of Housing has told a committee that only about 1.3% of short-term lets needing planning permission had applied for it as of May 2025, and housing groups held an 'Airbnb walking tour' in Galway on Saturday to press for swift enforcement.
Source: Houses of the Oireachtas (23 October 2026); Irish Examiner (24 October 2026) (https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41928353.html)
Appeals body upholds refusal of house in Doohoma, Co Mayo
An Coimisiún Pleanála has upheld Mayo County Council's decision to refuse permission for a single-storey house in Doohoma, north-west Mayo, because the applicant could not provide proof of a social connection to the area as required under rural housing policy. Local elected representatives reacted angrily to the decision, saying the applicant has strong family links to the area.
Source: Irish Independent (24 October 2026) (https://www.independent.ie/county/mayo/im-absolutely-ashamed-outrage-in-mayo-as-woman-with-strong-links-to-area-is-refused-planning-permission/a/163000031.html)
Kilcock nursing home conversion ruled not exempted development
An Coimisiún Pleanála has notified Kildare County Council that the proposed change of use of the former Shalom Nursing Home on Church Street, Kilcock, to accommodation for people seeking international protection is development and not exempted development, following a referral from the council. The commission found no evidence that the use would be by or on behalf of the Minister, a condition of the relevant exemption, so the applicant, Frostbreak Unlimited, would need to seek planning permission in the normal way.
Source: Gript (opinion column) (24 October 2026) (https://gript.ie/treacy-permission-for-kilcock-ipas-centre-rejected/)
Consultation opens on Galway's Murrough masterplan for up to 2,500 homes
Galway City Council has opened public consultation on an urban design framework for 34 hectares of land at Murrough, near Renmore on the east side of the city, which could accommodate up to 2,500 homes. The plan includes a new rail station, the route of the Galway to Dublin Greenway, an integrated flood defence framework and a substantial share of the lands kept for public recreation. Submissions can be made until 5pm on Monday 23 November, with a drop-in event at ATU Galway on 5 November.
Source: Galway Bay FM (22 October 2026) (https://www.galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/detailed-plan-unveiled-for-2500-new-coastal-homes-at-murrough-232711)
Over 520 permitted homes in north-east Cork held up by water capacity
Cork County Council officials are seeking an urgent meeting with Uisce Éireann because water and wastewater shortfalls are preventing more than 520 homes in north-east Cork from going to construction despite having planning permission. Councillor Frank O'Flynn cited schemes for 200 homes in Mitchelstown, 31 plus a further 80 in Glanworth, 80 in Conna, a similar number in Castletownroche and 50 in Glenville. The meeting is expected by the end of October or early November.
Source: Irish Examiner (22 October 2026) (https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41927624.html)
No comments:
Post a Comment