Here is today's round-up of town planning news from around Ireland, covering new national apartment standards due at Cabinet, final approval of the short-term letting planning statement, a warning from Cairn on apartment output, 153 apartments granted in Ballincollig, a refusal for 403 homes in Clondalkin, councillors' approval of social homes on the Darndale spine site and an appeal refusal for 19 homes in Kilcock.
Apartment standards set to be made national planning policy
Housing Minister James Browne is expected to bring a National Planning Statement on apartment design standards to Cabinet today, which The Journal understands will replicate the July 2025 apartment guidelines that reduced minimum apartment sizes and relaxed requirements on windows, balconies and indoor communal facilities. The 2025 guidelines are the subject of a High Court challenge by councillors Darragh Moriarty, David Healy, Dan Boyle and Pádraig McEvoy and the late Frank McDonald, in which questions on the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive have been referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The Government says putting the standards in a statement, which has been through its own strategic environmental assessment, will give builders certainty nationwide.
Source: The Journal (4 November 2026)
Government approves short-term letting planning statement
The Government has approved the issuing of the National Planning Statement on Short-Term Letting by Housing Minister James Browne and Minister of State John Cummins, setting a national approach for councils deciding applications for short-term lets. It generally precludes new permissions in towns and cities with populations over 20,000, while elsewhere councils are to be more amenable and providers get an extended period to obtain consent. Once the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill 2026 is passed, all providers will have to register with Fáilte Ireland and confirm they are planning compliant.
Source: Department of Housing (3 November 2026)
Cairn warns 60,000 homes a year depends on apartments
In a submission to the Oireachtas housing committee, Cairn Homes forecasts close to 40,000 completions this year, but chief executive Michael Stanley says there is little chance of reaching 50,000 to 60,000 homes a year unless about 25,000 to 30,000 apartments are built annually. He says the National Planning Framework means the State can deliver only about 25,000 to 30,000 own-door houses a year and that 85 per cent of zoned land carries density requirements needing some or all apartments. He called for State support to make apartments viable while private capital remains limited.
Source: The Irish Times (3 November 2026)
153 apartments granted at Old Fort Road, Ballincollig
Cork City Council has granted O'Flynn Construction permission for 153 one- and two-bed apartments in three blocks of three to six storeys, with a childcare facility, at Old Fort Road, Ballincollig, subject to 37 conditions. The site's 2020 permission led to a six-year legal battle that went to the Court of Justice of the European Union, and a fresh application was refused by An Coimisiún Pleanála in May 2025 for materially contravening the unit mix requirements of the 2022 Cork City Development Plan. The scheme was reduced from 157 units after daylight and sunlight concerns.
Source: Irish Examiner (3 November 2026)
South Dublin refuses 403 homes at Clondalkin logistics site
South Dublin County Council has refused Thornmeadow Developments permission for 403 homes, mostly apartments in a nine-storey mixed-use building and three five-storey blocks, at the Securispeed Logistics site in Clondalkin, on seven grounds. Reasons included flood risk, inadequate childcare provision, a substandard single access via Oakfield Road, poor sunlight to some units and open spaces, traffic concerns, a car parking ratio considered too low and the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Seventeen submissions were received.
Source: The Echo (3 November 2026)
Councillors approve social homes on Darndale spine site
Dublin City Council members have approved, under the Part 8 process, the council and Respond's plan for social housing on the Spine Site in Darndale, after agreeing an amendment to convert two ground-floor homes to community use, leaving 82 homes alongside an 86 sq m community hub. The original proposal was for 84 homes, including 50 for older people, in buildings of two and three storeys. A further motion to convert 10 apartments to community use was not carried after the housing manager said it would require a complete redraft of the scheme.
Source: Dublin Inquirer (4 November 2026)
Refusal upheld for 19 homes at Church Street, Kilcock
An Coimisiún Pleanála has upheld Kildare County Council's refusal of permission for Mulberry Properties' development of 19 homes on Church Street, Kilcock, according to Construction Information Services. The €4.2 million scheme comprised terraced houses and maisonettes with a new entrance from Church Street and a ramped pedestrian connection to the Royal Canal Greenway.
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