Cabinet backs bill on housing permissions
A bill that will extend planning permission for some housing developments is to be published this week after approval by the Cabinet.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2025 will enable applications for extensions to permission for housing developments nearing the end of their duration period that have not yet started.
It would also allow for the provisions of section 180 of the new Planning and Development Act 2024 to retrospectively apply to permissions that have already been through – or are currently in – judicial review and are subsequently permitted.
‘Common-sense measure’
This would allow for the duration of the judicial-review period to not be counted as part of the effective life of the planning permission, avoiding the expiry of planning permissions due to delays caused by the judicial-review process.
James Browne (Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage) described the bill as a “common-sense measure” to realise the full potential of housing permissions that were due to expire shortly.
The Government aims to have the bill enacted before the Dáil’s summer recess.