Irish Planning Institute welcomes government proposal to allow extensions to planning permissions Posted on May 27, 2025 by Seán O'Leary The Irish Planning Institute, the all-island professional membership organisation for spatial planners, has today welcomed the government’s move to introduce emergency legislation that will allow project developers to apply for an extension to an existing planning permission. Recognising some of the challenges that have impacted a number of large-scale residential development projects over recent years, the changes being brought forward by government will allow developers who have only two years left on their existing planning permission to apply for an extension for up to three years. However, the representative body for professional planners said the move was unlikely to deliver a significant increase in housing supply. Gavin Lawlor, President of the Irish Planning Institute, said the proposed changes to the new Planning and Development Act were sensible, and would benefit residential projects that have been impacted by delays or financing challenges over the past number of years. “These changes to the new Planning and Development Act are necessary in limited circumstances where housing developments have been unable to get underway because of judicial reviews, infrastructure constraints or project financing issues. “It will help prevent planning permissions from viable projects which are not yet developed from lapsing in the coming months. However, the changes are unlikely to have a significant impact on overall housing supply this year and next. ENDS About the Irish Planning Institute Founded in 1975, the Irish Planning Institute is the all-island professional body representing professional planners engaged in physical, spatial and environmental planning in Ireland and Irish planners practicing overseas. The Irish Planning Institute, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, represents over 1,000 planners across the public and private sector, including planners working in Local Authorities, Academia, An Bord Pleanála, Central Government, Regional Assemblies, Private Practice Consultancies, Property Developers and Semi-State organisations.