The Planning and Development Bill 2023 - Update

PUBLISHED: 13th December 2023

The Planning and Development Bill 2023 (the Bill) is the third largest Bill in the history of the State and represents the largest reshaping of the planning system in Ireland for more than two decades.

The Planning and Development Bill 2023 is currently progressing through the Oireachtas, having completed the Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 30 November 2023. 

The key provisions of the Bill are as follows:

1. Corporate restructure of An Bord Pleanála to be reformed and renamed to An Comisiún Pleanála.  Separate corporate, decision making and governance functions for An Comisiún Pleanála to be established, with the intention being to improve the decision making process faster and more transparent.
2. Introduction of mandatory, statutory timelines across all consent processes – including decisions by An Comisiún Pleanála which will range from between 8 weeks (decision on appeals of planning authorities) and 48 weeks (decision on strategic infrastructure developments).  
3. Significant reform of the judicial review process and introduction of an Environmental Legal Costs Scheme, with a view to improving access to justice whilst reducing court time and legal costs.  
4. Strategic extension of Local Government Development Plans from six years to ten years, with a review after five years.  
5. New provisions for Urban Development Zones empowering local authorities to designate areas with significant potential for development.

The Bill is expected to progress through the final stages of the Oireachtas in 2024 and the final, approved version will then be signed into law by the President.

We will be monitoring the Bill as it progresses through the final approval stages.  For more information see our previous article here or contact a member of our Real Estate team.