Policy Forum for Ireland

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Next steps for planning policy in Ireland

legislation & strategy | housing needs | Planning Commission priorities | rural economy & regional connectivity | tackling planning application backlog | net zero targets

Morning, Wednesday, 5th February 2025

Online


This conference focuses on next steps for planning policy in Ireland, looking at objectives from the National Planning Framework.


Areas for discussion include delivery of increased housing, developing the rural economy, regional connectivity and accessibility, and moving forward on net zero commitments with implementation of key climate infrastructure and advancing decarbonised transport.


It will be a timely opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss planning priorities following the recently published draft revision of the National Planning Framework, as well as the recently passed Planning and Development Act 2024.


Delegates will consider priorities and issues for implementation of proposals in the Act. They will assess strategies for alleviating a growing backlog of planning applications, and wider the role of the An Coimisiún Pleanála, as well as priorities for the commission as it approaches its role in improving efficiency, transparency and the speed of decision-making.


Those attending will discuss what is needed from policy, regulation and action from key stakeholders in order to meet the necessary delivery of homes in Ireland in a way that supports net zero ambitions. It follows findings from the Housing Commission that 60,000 homes per year are necessary to manage expected population growth, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency’s projection that current implemented policies could only deliver an 11% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2030, much below the 51% target.


Following the Government’s consultation on the Draft Revision of National Planning Framework, the conference will discuss key priorities for the development of Ireland’s rural economy, including enhancing regional connectivity and broadband access, alongside safeguarding key economic drivers such as natural resources and the food sector. There will also be discussion on key environmental considerations, including the implementation of transport orientated development (TOD) and actionable strategies to increase electric vehicle adoption - as well as the likely impacts of newly proposed reforms to new development plans, and the role of regional and local authorities moving forward.


The discussion takes place following the Government’s announcement of resourcing changes to the planning system in the October 2024 Budget, with funding earmarked for the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, increased staffing levels for An Bord Pleanála and the Office of the Planning Regulator, and local authority planning departments.


We also expect discussion on issues around international compliance and the Planning and Development Act 2024, against concerns expressed by the UN’s Aarhus Compliance Committee over opportunities for public oversight of extension of planning permission.


We are pleased to include keynote sessions with: Niall Cussen, Chief Executive and Planning Regulator, Office of the Planning Regulator; Claragh Mulhern, Acting Principal Planning Adviser, Chief Planner, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Robert Costello, Partner, Capital Projects and Infrastructure, PwC Ireland; and Gavin Lawlor, President, Irish Planning Institute. Further senior contributors are being contacted.


All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.



Keynote Speakers

Robert Costello

Partner, Capital Projects and Infrastructure, PwC Ireland

Gavin Lawlor

President, Irish Planning Institute

Niall Cussen

Chief Executive and Planning Regulator, Office of the Planning Regulator

Keynote Speakers

Robert Costello

Partner, Capital Projects and Infrastructure, PwC Ireland

Gavin Lawlor

President, Irish Planning Institute

Niall Cussen

Chief Executive and Planning Regulator, Office of the Planning Regulator

Claragh Mulhern

Acting Principal Planning Adviser, Chief Planner, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Speakers

Deirdre Nagle

Partner, Head of Planning and Environmental Law, Mason Hayes and Curran

Brendan O’Sullivan

Director, UCC Centre for Planning Education and Research

Professor Paddy Gray

Professor, Housing, Ulster University

Dr Caroline Brown

Director, Scotland, Ireland and English Regions, Royal Town Planning Institute