Here is today's round-up of town planning news from around Ireland, covering mounting criticism of recent changes to social housing delivery, signs that housing output may be turning a corner, a Supreme Court refusal to hear an appeal over Carlow wind turbines, a developer's appeal against a rival's Ballincollig scheme, a 23-turbine application in west Waterford, 59 homes proposed in Tullow and a revised graveyard extension plan in Waterford city.
Pressure grows on Housing Minister over turnkey and housing body changes
Housing charities, approved housing bodies and economists have publicly criticised Minister for Housing James Browne over plans to sharply reduce the number of new homes bought by councils and housing bodies, with builders arguing that many private schemes depend on those sales to get finance and that councils' planning departments will need heavy investment to design projects themselves. The Department of Housing has denied reports that housing bodies were told to cap delivery at 5,000 homes a year, and the Minister is due to meet the Housing Alliance. Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin has called the official denials disingenuous, according to the Irish Independent.
Source: The Journal (1 November 2026)
Five signs the housing crisis may be turning a corner
RTÉ's economics editor notes that completions between July and September were up 10.4 per cent on last year, with almost 27,000 homes finished so far in 2026 and analysts expecting 39,000 to 40,000 by year end, compared with 36,000 in 2025. First-time buyer mortgages are up 9 per cent, listings on MyHome rose 12.5 per cent in September, and annual price growth has slowed from about 10 per cent to 5 per cent. Output nonetheless remains well short of the 50,000 to 60,000 homes a year said to be needed, and Goodbody's Dermot O'Leary calls for faster rezoning of residential land, coordinated utility connections and further planning reform.
Source: RTÉ News (31 October 2026)
Supreme Court refuses appeal over Carlow wind turbines
The Supreme Court has refused leave for a direct appeal by two local residents and the Rural Residents Wind Aware and Environmental Group against An Coimisiún Pleanála's permission for seven EDF Renewables turbines at Killeshin Hills and neighbouring townlands in Co Carlow, after the High Court dismissed their challenge in May. The objectors had argued that the separation distances between turbines did not comply with the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. The court found the High Court had not misapplied the guidelines, observing that the Commission was only required to have regard to them, which it clearly did.
Source: The Irish Times (30 October 2026)
O'Flynn Group appeals rival's 300-home scheme
The Business Post reports that O'Flynn Group has appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála against a 300-home development by a rival developer and has complained about its treatment by the council. Cork City Council granted MOS Homes permission in September for 300 homes at Carriganarra and Carrigrohane in Ballincollig, over an objection from O'Flynn Construction, whose own plan for 1,150 homes at nearby Maglin was refused in August pending delivery of the South Ballincollig transport corridor and is also under appeal.
Source: Business Post (31 October 2026)
23-turbine Slievegrine wind farm lodged as strategic infrastructure
Slievegrine Ltd has applied directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála for the Slievegrine Renewable Energy Development, 23 wind turbines with tip heights of 170 to 185 metres across townlands between Dungarvan and Youghal, Co Waterford. The proposal also includes a 110kV substation, a 220kV loop-in substation and an underground 220kV connection to the existing Knockraha to Cullenagh line. As a strategic infrastructure development, the decision rests with the Commission, with Waterford City and County Council invited to make a submission, and a decision is expected by October 2027.
Source: Waterford Live (29 October 2026)
59 homes proposed off the Rathoe Road, Tullow
Tidefall Limited has applied to Carlow County Council for 59 homes off the Rathoe Road in Tullow, on a site identified as Phase 2 at Cuanahowan, with access through the existing Cuanahowan estate. The plans include car parking, bin storage, open space and landscaping. The application was at pre-validation stage, and a decision is due by 17 December.
Source: Carlow Live (30 October 2026)
Revised plan lodged for Ballygunner cemetery extension
The Parish of St Joseph, St Benildus and St Mary's has lodged a fresh application to extend St Mary's Cemetery at Ballygunner, Waterford city, this time to the east of the existing graveyard, with new internal roads, paths and car parking. An earlier proposal from January 2025 to extend the cemetery to the south was refused by Waterford City and County Council over ground conditions, traffic and land zoning.
Source: Waterford Live (30 October 2026)
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