Here is today's round-up of town planning news from around Ireland, covering €27 million for new rail stations to unlock more than 12,000 homes, the chief justice's warning against blaming judicial review alone for planning delay, a High Court challenge to paid parking at Blanchardstown Centre, an appeal against 47 homes in Milford, five houses approved in Enfield, a second phase of 49 homes sought in Carlow, and five apartments proposed near Killarney town centre.
€27m for Blarney, Water Rock and Maynooth West stations to unlock housing
Housing Minister James Browne has approved €27 million from the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund for three new train stations at Blarney and Water Rock in Cork and Maynooth West in Kildare, aimed at unlocking more than 12,000 homes beside improved rail. Subject to planning, the Cork stations are expected to start construction by late 2027 or early 2028 and open in 2029, several years earlier than previously likely; Maynooth West design work is brought forward with construction potentially from late 2028. The fund is part of a €1 billion programme managed by the Housing Activation Office; the ministers say the stations will serve about 3,700 homes at Blarney, 2,500–3,000 at Water Rock and more than 6,000 at Maynooth West.
Source: Department of Housing (5 November 2026)
Chief justice says it is unfair to blame judicial review alone for delay
Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell has told the IIEA Young Professionals Network that it is "too easy" to blame the legal system for "so-called dysfunction" in getting developments through, and that in a planning context "a lot of delay" sits earlier in the process. He said judicial review involves claims seeking to enforce law that already exists, and that reform intended to be transparent and fair can become an obstruction, citing the idea in Ezra Klein's book Abundance. Irish politicians, including the Taoiseach, have criticised judicial reviews for holding up housing and infrastructure; the justice minister's Civil Reform Bill aims to streamline the mechanism.
Source: Irish Examiner (5 November 2026)
TD challenges paid-parking approval at Blanchardstown Centre
People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger has lodged a High Court judicial review seeking leave to overturn An Coimisiún Pleanála's September approval for car-park management controls, including paid parking, across nine car parks at Blanchardstown Centre, with associated pedestrian and cycle works. She argues the Commission failed to have proper regard to the major town centre zoning, the centre's civic role (council offices, district court, library, health and other services) and her submissions on congestion, displacement onto Whitestown roads and impacts on lower-income, older and disabled people. Fingal County Council had granted permission in November 2025; the application will be listed later in the High Court's planning list.
Source: The Irish Times (5 November 2026)
Milford 47-home grant appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála
The Lower Mount Marian Residents Group has appealed Donegal County Council's grant of permission to Kelly Property Development Ltd for 47 homes between Milford and Gortmacall Beg — 20 two-bed houses, eight two-bed apartments and 19 three-bed houses. Residents say they do not oppose housing in principle but raise traffic and pedestrian safety, the adequacy of supporting assessments, access arrangements and amenity impacts on the established neighbourhood. Fourteen of the homes are designed to Universal Design guidance, and there is an agreement in principle that nine units would transfer to the council for social housing.
Source: Donegal Daily (5 November 2026)
Five houses approved off Enfield Main Street
Meath County Council has granted Greenshannon Developments Ltd permission to demolish the existing two-storey house on a 0.43-hectare portion of a Main Street site in Enfield and build five detached homes — one five-bed replacement and four four-bed dwellings — with access from the existing Main Street entrance. In February the same applicant was granted permission to refurbish and extend the house and build three new four-bed detached homes on the wider 0.69-hectare holding; construction of those three homes is already under way.
Source: Meath Chronicle (5 November 2026)
49 homes sought as phase two at Chapelstown, Carlow
Elmdorf Ltd has applied to Carlow County Council for phase two of its Chapelstown scheme: 49 two-storey houses (six two-bed, 39 three-bed and four four-bed) north of a previously permitted 64-home development west of the Link Road (L1026). Access would extend the already permitted vehicular and pedestrian entrance; each home would have two parking spaces plus six visitor spaces (104 in total). The application was lodged on 2 November, with submissions due by 6 December and a decision due by 1 January 2027.
Source: Ireland Live / Carlow Live (5 November 2026)
Five apartments sought beside Killarney bus station
Kerry developer Boocon Company Limited has applied to Kerry County Council for five apartments in two two-storey blocks behind Railway Lodge at 12 Fairhill, Killarney, across from the town bus station on Park Road. The scheme is described as car-free, with secure bicycle parking and pedestrian and cyclist access from Park Road through the existing lodge entrance; a Uisce Éireann pre-connection enquiry is under assessment. The applicant stresses the site's walkable access to services, employment and public transport.
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