Here is today's round-up of town planning news from around Ireland, covering appeals body decisions in Laois, Clare and Donegal, a fresh legal challenge in Milltown and the latest on housing policy.
Planning appeals body refuses Laois council's 67-home scheme at Tyrells Land, Portlaoise
An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused Laois County Council's plan for 67 affordable and cost-rental houses and duplexes on part of Tyrells Land on the Stradbally Road, Portlaoise, a site the council bought for €1.4 million. The commission said the layout failed to protect the setting of the protected Portrane House, would lead to the loss of high-quality trees, and that it could not be satisfied there would be no adverse effect on the River Barrow and River Nore Special Area of Conservation; it also noted the proposed density of 34 homes per hectare was below recommended levels. Councillors described the decision as a "devastating blow", while the council said planned sports and recreation facilities on the rest of the site will go ahead separately.
Source: Leinster Express (21 October 2026) (https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/property/devastating-news-landmark-laois-council-housing-plan-rejected-9302668); Laois Today (21 October 2026) (https://www.laoistoday.ie/2026/10/21/shock-and-frustration-as-housing-plans-at-tyrells-land-in-portlaoise-is-refused/)
Residents seek third judicial review of Ardstone's Milltown Park housing plan
Cherryfield Residents' Association and Dermot Murphy have asked the High Court to review An Coimisiún Pleanála's August decision granting Ardstone permission for 562 homes, including 56 social homes, at Milltown Park, Sandford Road, Dublin 6. They argue the decision contravenes density provisions in the Dublin City Development Plan. It is the group's third legal challenge to Ardstone's plans for the site, following challenges to earlier permissions for 667 and 636 homes, and Ardstone said the new proceedings are the only thing stopping it from starting work.
Source: The Irish Times (22 October 2026) (https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/10/22/ardstone-faces-third-challenge-to-milltown-housing-plan/)
14-turbine wind farm in west Clare refused by An Coimisiún Pleanála
An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused Cloonkett Green Energy's strategic infrastructure application for 14 wind turbines of 150m and a 220kV substation near Cranny in west Clare. The commission said adverse effects on the freshwater pearl mussel in the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation could not be excluded beyond reasonable scientific doubt, and that the scheme would be inconsistent with the Water Action Plan 2024. It also found that the risk of major aviation accidents had not been adequately addressed in the application.
Source: Clare FM (21 October 2026) (https://www.clare.fm/news/plans-for-a-14-turbine-windfarm-in-west-clare-have-been-refused-by-an-coimisiun-pleanala/)
Permission for shop and filling station beside Creeslough tragedy site overturned
An Coimisiún Pleanála has overturned Donegal County Council's grant of permission for a new building with a shop, post office, off-licence, deli, forecourt and fuel tanks on land beside the site of the 2022 Creeslough explosion. The commission's inspector found the scheme premature because most of the site is subject to a draft Ministerial Direction to revert the land to an amenity zoning. Appeals had been lodged on behalf of bereaved families and survivors, among others.
Source: Donegal Live (21 October 2026) (https://www.donegallive.ie/news/approval-for-development-beside-creeslough-tragedy-site-overturned-9302245)
Housing Minister's comments on targets raised in the Dáil
Housing Minister James Browne said in a Morning Ireland interview on Wednesday that he does not believe in targets and forecasts for home building. The remarks were raised in the Dáil the same day by Sinn Féin's Thomas Gould, and the Taoiseach defended the minister, pointing to close to 60,000 social homes delivered since 2020 and the Government's focus on increasing supply.
Source: Irish Independent (21 October 2026) (https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/housing-minister-says-he-does-not-believe-in-targets-and-forecasts-for-home-building/a/163377100.html); Houses of the Oireachtas, Dáil debate (21 October 2026) (https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2026-10-21/13/)
Hotels rather than apartments: viability questions over Golden Lane plan (analysis)
In an Irish Times column, John McManus looks at German property group KGAL's application to Dublin City Council to replace an office block on Golden Lane with a 225-bedroom hotel. The application argues that only 50 to 60 apartments could fit on the site under current standards and that neither apartments nor student accommodation would be viable there. The column suggests city planners should examine more closely what "viability" means, and whether another body such as the Land Development Agency could build homes there.
Source: The Irish Times, opinion (21 October 2026) (https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/10/21/why-developers-are-turning-to-hotels-not-apartments/)
Adam Clayton granted permission for replacement home near Kinsale
Cork County Council has granted permission to U2's Adam Clayton to demolish a ruined two-storey dwelling and outbuildings at Ringfinnan, overlooking Kinsale and the river Bandon, and build a six-bedroom replacement home of 795 sq m. The design, which draws on traditional farmstead forms and is partly sunk into the landscape, includes 50 ground-mounted solar panels and five micro wind turbines. No objections were lodged against the application.
Source: The Irish Times (21 October 2026) (https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/10/21/u2s-adam-clayton-gets-green-light-for-kinsale-development/)
HSE granted permission for children's respite centre in Monaghan
Monaghan County Council has granted the HSE permission for a community-based residential respite facility for people with disabilities on the Ballybay Road, Monaghan. The plans involve demolishing an existing house and building a single-storey replacement, with a relocated site entrance, car parking, drainage and landscaping. The permission carries 11 conditions.
Source: Northern Sound (21 October 2026) (https://www.northernsound.ie/news/planning-granted-for-childrens-respite-centre-in-monaghan-292961)
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