Planning Institute responds confirmation of planning height guidelines

The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) acknowledges the confirmation of new Building Heights Guidelines published today (Friday 7 December 2018) by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government

Mr Joe Corr, President, IPI said “Height is part of the solution to increasing density which is important as part of consolidating urban areas to facilitate sustainable growth in the context of both optimising economic resources and addressing the challenges of climate change.

While we retain our concerns about the potential for the arbitrary separation of the interrelated issues of height, density and place making into standalone thematic guidelines and continue to advocate for height decisions to be determined as much as possible by properly researched policy before planning application stage, we broadly welcome the greater certainty today’s announcement will provide. We are aware of multiple projects where plans have been on hold pending this clarity.

We welcome in particular the recognition within the guidelines for the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) planning process. This specific legislative process requires approval for an overarching plan embracing all relevant planning issues including identified height, first with subsequent permission granted for project applications which are deemed consistent with that plan.

Our interpretation of the guidelines published today is that the legislative principles underpinning the SDZ approach are protected from subsequent case by case led change.”