Here is today's round-up of town planning news from around Ireland. As it is Monday, it covers stories from Friday to this morning, including the new apartment standards going to Cabinet, a refused sports campus near Athenry, 57 apartments refused in Dundalk, a critique of housing policy, student rooms in Limerick and a protected gate lodge in Westmeath.
Apartment standards planning statement goes to Cabinet on Tuesday
Housing Minister James Browne has confirmed that a national planning statement on apartment design standards will go to Cabinet on Tuesday, which he said will provide legal certainty for the new apartment guidelines. The 2025 guidelines, which allow more studio apartments in developments, have faced legal challenges. The amended draft statement, prepared under the Planning and Development Act 2024 with a precautionary strategic environmental assessment, went to a second public consultation that closed on 12 October and will replace the 2025 ministerial guidelines once approved.
Source: RTÉ News (1 November 2026); Department of Housing (14 September 2026)
Galway United and Connacht Hockey training centre refused on appeal
An Coimisiún Pleanála has upheld Galway County Council's refusal of a €13 million training facility for Galway United and Connacht Hockey at Mountain South, Athenry, with two floodlit soccer pitches, a hockey pitch and two single-storey buildings. The council had cited an undesirable precedent in an unserviced rural area, the lack of Uisce Éireann feasibility confirmation and an archaeological impact assessment, and inadequate sight distances. The Commission also noted the site was at risk of flooding and was not zoned or designated for the use; a similar proposal in the area was refused in 2022.
Source: Galway Bay FM (1 November 2026)
57 apartments refused at Racecourse Meadows, Dundalk
Louth County Council has refused permission to Racecourse Road Developments Limited for 57 apartments in three five-storey blocks at Racecourse Meadows, Dundalk, after further information was received in September. The council found the blocks would be overdevelopment, visually dominant and out of character with the area, and that a high standard of architectural quality had not been shown. It also cited unresolved flood risk under the national flood risk guidelines and inadequate public open space.
Source: Irish Independent (30 October 2026)
Lorcan Sirr questions direction of housing policy on prices
In an opinion piece, housing lecturer Lorcan Sirr argues that the Minister's refusal in a recent radio interview to say whether house prices should fall shows a confused housing policy that depends on rising prices. He welcomes the move to restrict turnkey purchases so that councils and housing bodies build more themselves, noting that two-thirds of new council and AHB homes in 2025 came from the market. He points to median house prices of about eight times median full-time earnings.
Source: The Irish Times, opinion (2 November 2026)
Student rooms approved above Thomas Street shop, Limerick
Limerick City and County Council has granted conditional permission to convert the upper three floors of 16 Thomas Street, a Georgian building with a charity shop on the ground floor, from apartments into student accommodation with six en-suite bedrooms and a shared kitchen and living area. A condition restricts the use to student accommodation unless a further change of use is permitted. The planner's report noted the council's preference for student housing on campus, within 1km of a third-level institution or near high-quality public transport.
Source: Limerick Leader (1 November 2026)
Restoration of protected Killua gate lodge approved
Westmeath County Council has granted permission, with nine conditions, to restore and extend a protected gate lodge at Killua, Clonmellon, including a garage, an upgraded entrance and a wastewater treatment system. A key condition requires the derelict lodge to be retained and refurbished rather than demolished and rebuilt. The development contribution of €400.69 reflects a 50 per cent reduction for works to protected structures.
No comments:
Post a Comment