Here is today's round-up of town planning news from around Ireland, covering the passage of the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill through the Dáil, Meath councillors' call to zone more land than the core strategy allows, a Westport site left out of Mayo's development plan variation, 38 homes approved in Portarlington, a revised 35-home scheme in Buncrana, the conversion of the Lough Allen Hotel to apartments, and an unused Tallaght crèche turned into two apartments.
Short-term letting Bill passes the Dáil
The Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill has passed the Dáil by 83 votes to 71 and now goes to the Seanad. It sets up a national register of short-term lets of up to 21 nights, administered by Fáilte Ireland, while the accompanying national planning statement restricts new short-term lets in towns of more than 20,000 people. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae argued that long-established operators would still have to seek retention permission, while the Taoiseach said there is a presumption in favour of permission for those operating for more than seven years and a simplified application process, and Minister for Tourism Peter Burke described it as a straightforward process.
Source: The Irish Times (12 November 2026) (https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/oireachtas/2026/11/12/short-term-lets-bill-passes-dail-as-taoiseach-criticises-healy-rae-scaremongering/)
Meath councillors urge more rezoning despite core strategy limits
Meath councillors have urged planning officials to put forward more land for residential rezoning than the core strategy and National Planning Framework allow, as the council varies its county development plan. Councillors said Meath will struggle to meet its ministerial target of 2,942 homes a year to 2030, and Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe asked them to identify where they want more zoned land. The meeting also heard that the council faces a Residential Zoned Land Tax liability of €546,048 for 2026 on 32 of its own land parcels.
Source: Meath Chronicle (12 November 2026) (https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2026/11/12/the-minister-is-looking-for-300000-houses-by-2030-but-we-havent-a-hope-of-reaching-that-with-the-figures-we-have/)
Westport site to stay out of Mayo plan variation for now
Mayo County Council's Chief Executive, Kevin Kelly, has told councillors that adding land at the Quay in Westport to the county development plan variation by amending the minutes would legally undermine the whole variation. Councillors said the serviced site, where a developer wants to build five houses, had been left out by oversight and remains zoned agricultural. Mr Kelly said the only route is a material alteration after the public display period, with the variation due back before councillors next month.
Source: The Mayo News (11 November 2026) (https://www.mayonews.ie/news/westport-site-to-remain-omitted-following-mayo-council-chiefs-warning-9345469)
38 homes approved at Cooltederry, Portarlington
Laois County Council has granted conditional permission to Garryduff Properties for 38 homes on a 1.128-hectare greenfield site at Cooltederry, Portarlington, accessed through the Lansdowne and Castlelea estates. The site has been the subject of several earlier applications, and this one drew 17 objections citing traffic, loss of green space, density and the unfinished state of the existing estate. Conditions include biodiversity enhancement in the green areas and EV charging for 10 per cent of parking spaces.
Source: Laois Live (12 November 2026) (https://www.ireland-live.ie/midlands/laois-live/laois-housing-estate-approved-after-years-of-planning-battles-9346589)
Revised 35-home scheme approved at Luddan, Buncrana
Donegal County Council has granted George Doherty Construction permission for revised house designs and a modified layout at a 35-home development at Luddan, Buncrana, first approved in 2020, including the replacement of seven partly built houses. The repositioning increases separation distances from existing homes. The 28 conditions include a DMURS-compliant footpath before development starts and Stage 2 and Stage 3 road safety audits.
Source: Donegal Live (12 November 2026) (https://www.donegallive.ie/news/35-buncrana-houses-get-planning-approval-with-seven-homes-to-be-rebuilt-9348314)
Lough Allen Hotel to be converted to 24 apartments
Leitrim County Council has granted permission to convert the 24 hotel apartments at the Lough Allen Hotel in Drumshanbo into residential apartments meeting current standards, with new balconies, ground-floor patios, a lift, bicycle parking and bin storage. The seven conditions include a landscaping scheme, an Uisce Éireann connection agreement and the appointment of a management company before occupation.
Source: Leitrim Observer (12 November 2026) (https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/permission-granted-for-leitrim-hotel-to-convert-to-residential-apartments-9346218)
Unused Tallaght crèche to become two apartments
South Dublin County Council has granted a change of use to turn a crèche at Westend Gate, Tallaght, into two two-bedroom apartments of 93 and 104 square metres. The applicant said the 2004 facility had never been occupied by a childcare provider because of its lack of drop-off space and parking, its busy roadside location and existing supply in the area. No extra parking is proposed, given the Luas stop about 320 metres away.
Source: The Echo (12 November 2026) (https://www.echo.ie/two-apartments-approved-for-former-tallaght-creche/)
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