Fast Track Planning – Review
The Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy recent established a Review Group for fast-track planning applications for strategic housing developments..
Fast-track arrangements are due to finish at the end of 2019 and the review evaluates the merit of any extension. The Review Group reports back to Minister Murphy by the end of September 2019.
Background
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (the 2016 Act) introduced new streamlined arrangements, for a limited time-period, to enable fast-track planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHDs) of 100 or more housing units, or student accommodation of 200 or more bed spaces, or shared accommodation developments of 200 or more bed spaces, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) for determination.
The primary purpose of the arrangements is to significantly speed up the planning decision-making process for SHD proposals, thereby providing greater certainty for developers in terms of the timeframes within which proposals for such developments can be determined in the planning system, while also fully respecting the statutory requirements for public consultation and regard being had to observations submitted, with a view to ultimately facilitating increased housing supply delivery in accordance with proper planning and development.
Under section 4(2) of the 2016 Act, the SHD provisions apply for an initial period, until the end of 2019. In accordance with the Act, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government may, by order, extend that period by a further limited period of 2 years, up to the end of 2021, to coincide with the end timeframe of Rebuilding Ireland. However, prior to the making of such an order, and not later than 30 October 2019, the 2016 Act requires that the Minister review the operation and effectiveness of the SHD arrangements and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report of the conclusions of the review.
Public Consultation
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has launched a public consultation for relevant stakeholders, including the general public. This will assist the Review Group in its consideration.
Get involved
Make a Submission
This public consultation will run until close of business on 25 July 2019.
Submissions should be sent by email to SHDReview@housing.gov.ie or by post to:
SHD Review, Planning Policy Section, Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin, D01 W6X0.
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