The Irish Planning Institute, (IPI), the all-island professional membership organisation representing professional planners, has noted the publication of new guidelines by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage instructing local authorities to update housing targets in line with the revised National Planning Framework.

While the ambition to increase housing supply is welcome, the revised guidelines will require significant additional work by local authorities to assess and update existing County Development Plans in line with the new target to deliver 55,000 new homes per annum between now and 2034. Increasing the amount of zoned land for housing up to a level to accommodate a maximum of 83,000 new homes per annum will require significant input, particularly in built-up, urban areas of the country.

Gavin Lawlor, President of the IPI, said:

“All levers to increase housing supply are to be welcomed, but good planning takes time to deliver. It is crucial we have policy and legislative coherence. Local authorities are required to deliver what amounts to a root and branch review of zoned land at the same time as they are expected to prepare for new Urban Development Zones, while also implementing other policy and legislative changes.”

“When reviewing the quantum of zoned land, it is crucial that government listens to planners about the barriers and solutions to bringing new sites forward, particularly when it comes to constraints around water, wastewater, energy and transport. In particular, the government must recognise that some key locations may not have access to all the services they need to facilitate housing development.”

The IPI also noted the government’s decision to open a public consultation on proposed changes to its existing exempted development regulations. The IPI would encourage communities and stakeholders to review the proposals and participate in the consultation process.

IPI President Gavin Lawlor continued:

“It is important to involve the public in the revision of all exempted development regulations given their day-to-day practical impact. However, the current process lacks any details of proposed regulations, which should have been published alongside the consultation questions.

“As planners, members of the IPI are well aware that detail is key to how exempted development is interpreted. And while giving greater certainty to the system is welcome, some of the examples provided in the consultation have little or no detail on the size and scale of what is being exempted, while some examples are already likely exempted under the current guidelines.”

“The IPI looks forward to making a detailed submission to this consultation based on the day-to-day experience of our members across the country.”