More than 85% of planning roles sought two years ago remain vacant

 Just 15 per cent of the new planners sought by city and county managers two years ago to speed up the delivery of new housing have been recruited, latest figures show. While delays in the planning process are cited by developers, builders and utilities as a big reason for the undersupply of housing, the planning departments of local authorities remain understaffed by hundreds of posts, with only slow progress in filling the vacancies. In 2023, during debates on revised planning legislation, the body that represents city and county managers said that local authorities countrywide needed 541 more planners to keep up with existing demand – and would need more to fulfil an expanded role under the new Planning and Development Act. 

Read the full article @ The Irish Times

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Sport Ireland seeks planning permission for national cricket centre

 Plans lodged by Sport Ireland for a new national cricket centre, including a spectator bowl, would generate a €93 million tourism dividend here over a five-year period, according to planning documents lodged with Fingal County Council. During the same 2026 to 2030 period, the cricket stadium, which would have a permanent capacity of 4,240, would generate an additional €29 million through ticket sales and operational expenditure. Sport Ireland is also seeking permission for a high-performance centre and supporting infrastructure at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus at Abbotstown.

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Read the full article @ https://www.irishtimes.com/

Planning permission granted for new apartment scheme on site of Dublin’s largest synagogue

 Planning permission has been granted for a large new apartment scheme on the site of Dublin’s largest synagogue, despite concern by local residents about the scale of the plans and the loss of an iconic building. Dublin City Council approved plans by developer, Granbrind Terenure Limited, for the construction of 60 apartments on a 0.54 site on Rathfarnham Road in Terenure that currently houses an Orthodox Jewish synagogue. However, the scale of the development has been reduced by the company from its original plans for 66 apartments after serious concerns were raised by council planners. The scheme will consist of three apartment blocks ranging from three to six storeys in height. The developer claimed its plans strike a balance between minimising the impact of the development on neighbouring residents and securing a reasonable scale and density in line with national planning policy.

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Read the full article @ www.independent.ie

Investigation into Bobby Sands statue erected in West Belfast without planning permission

 BELFAST CITY COUNCIL is investigating after a statue of Bobby Sands was unveiled in West Belfast without the appropriate planning permission. It was erected in a memorial garden in Sands’ area of Twinbrook to mark 44 years since the former IRA member and MP died aged 27 following a sustained hunger strike in which 9 other republicans passed away. They were protesting sweeping internment measures enacted by the British Government, led by Margaret Thatcher, during the Troubles due to terrorism concerns. The deaths of Sands and his fellow strikers caused a large increase in recruitment for the IRA, after nationalist communities largely rallied in support of the group. The unveiling of the statue on Sunday was attended by First Minister of Northern Ireland and Sinn Féin vice-president, Michelle O’Neill who described it on X as a “powerful tribute” which she says “continues to inspire people here in Ireland and across the world in pursuit of freedom and justice”.

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Read the full article @ Thejournal.ie

Will Luas ever be expanded?

 There are plans to extend the Luas light rail system in Ireland, primarily focusing on expanding Dublin's network. The most imminent project is the extension of the Green Line to Finglas. This proposed 4-kilometer extension will add four new stops beyond the current terminus at Broombridge: St. Helena's Road, Finglas Village, St. Margaret's Road, and Charlestown. The project aims to enhance connectivity for communities in north Dublin, with an expected operational date by 2031.

Beyond the Finglas extension, the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 outlines several other Luas expansions slated for completion between 2031 and 2036:

• Lucan Line: A new line connecting Lucan to the city center.

• Bray Extension: Extending the Green Line southward to Bray.

• Poolbeg Extension: Extending the Red Line to serve the Poolbeg area, targeted for completion before 2042.

These planned expansions aim to improve public transport accessibility and reduce reliance on private vehicles in the Greater Dublin Area.

While there have been discussions about introducing Luas-style systems in other Irish cities, such as Cork and Galway, these proposals are still in the early stages and have not yet advanced to formal planning or construction phases.

It's important to note that infrastructure projects of this scale are subject to various factors, including funding, planning approvals, and political support, which can influence timelines and implementation.

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Why do geographers make good planners?

Geographers are good town planner as they use statistics extensively to analyse spatial patterns, relationships, and trends in both physical and human geography. Some key ways geographers use statistics include:

1. Descriptive Statistics – Summarizing geographic data (e.g., mean temperature, population density).
2. Inferential Statistics – Making predictions or testing hypotheses (e.g., using regression analysis to study climate change effects).
3. Spatial Statistics – Analysing spatial patterns and relationships (e.g., nearest neighbour analysis, Moran’s I for spatial autocorrelation).
4. Geostatistics – Used in physical geography and environmental science (e.g., kriging for climate modelling).
5. Big Data & GIS Analysis – Combining statistical methods with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to visualize and interpret large datasets.

Here is an example of a specific statistical method in geography.

Let’s look at Moran’s I, a key spatial statistic used in geography to measure spatial autocorrelation.

Moran’s I: Measuring Spatial Patterns

Moran’s I helps geographers determine if a particular variable (e.g., population density, crime rates, temperature) is clustered, dispersed, or randomly distributed across a geographic area.

Formula:

$$I = \frac{N}{\sum W_{ij}} \times \frac{\sum W_{ij} (X_i - \bar{X}) (X_j - \bar{X})}{\sum (X_i - \bar{X})^2}$$

where:

• $N$ = total number of locations
• $X_i$ = value at location $i$
• $\bar{X}$ = mean of all values
• $W_{ij}$ = spatial weight between locations $i$ and $j$ (defines spatial relationships)
• $\sum W_{ij}$ = sum of all spatial weights

Interpreting Moran’s I:

• $I > 0$: Positive spatial autocorrelation (similar values cluster together)
• $I < 0$: Negative spatial autocorrelation (high and low values are dispersed)
• $I \approx 0$: No spatial pattern (random distribution)

Example Application:

• Crime Mapping: Detecting whether crime is concentrated in specific neighbourhoods.
• Epidemiology: Identifying hotspots for disease outbreaks.
• Urban Planning: Analysing housing price distribution in a city.

Can I now build a modular home or granny flat in my back garden without planning permission?

 As of February 2025, in Ireland, constructing a modular home in your back garden generally requires planning permission. Current regulations allow for certain exemptions: you can build a free-standing structure up to 25 square meters without planning permission, provided it's not intended for habitation. Structures meant for living purposes, such as modular homes, do not fall under this exemption and thus require planning approval.
However, new legislation is being proposed to address this issue. The government is considering changes that would allow "granny flats" or detached modular units to be built in back gardens without the need for planning permission, extending the current exemption for 40 square meter extensions to include these detached units. This proposal aims to provide additional housing options, especially for young adults living with their parents. As of now, this legislation is still under consideration and has not been enacted.
Given these developments, it's advisable to consult BPS or your local planning authority before proceeding with construction, as regulations may change. Staying informed about the latest planning laws will help ensure your project complies with current requirements.

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