A raft of new exempted development provisions, pertaining to houses, came into effect in ROI on 27th July 2026. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Circular Letter PLR 02/2026 summarises these provisions as follows:

·       The existing exemption for extension of the principal dwelling will be increased from 40 square metres to 45 square metres.

·       A new exemption will provide for extension via the addition of dormer roof boxes and roof lights on the principal dwelling.

·       A new exemption for sub-division of the principal dwelling will allow for the creation of up to 1 additional self-contained unit within the existing building envelope, with a minimum floor area for each subdivided unit of 32 square metres.

·       A new exemption for an auxiliary habitable dwelling will allow for the addition of a detached auxiliary dwelling to the rear of the principal house, linked to the services of the principal house, which may be between 32 square metres and 45 square metres.

·       A new exemption will allow for the provision of insulation on external walls of a dwelling, in line with existing SEAI grant provision.

·       The exemption for a heat pump will be expanded so that it is not restricted to the rear of the property.

·       A new exemption will provide for cycle or bin storage at both the front and back of the property, with enough space to hold either 3-4 adult size bicycles, 2 cargo bikes or 3 wheelie bins.

·       The existing exemption for a structure in the back garden (such as a shed, store, home office or gym) will be increased from 25 square metres to 30 square metres.

Further information can be found at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/circulars/planning-and-development-exempted-development-act-of-2000-regulations-2026/ 

It should be noted that these exemptions are subject to extensive restrictions, conditions and limitations. In the cases of sub-division and detached auxiliary dwellings, these include inter alia a requirement to notify the planning authority at least 14 days before the development takes place, and the relevant exemption provisions are time-bound and will expire on 31st December 2030.

Should you require professional advice on these exempted development provisions, we would be happy to assist. Please get in touch to discuss.

Once finalised, it is anticipated that the National Planning Statement (NPS) will mark the most significant update to rural housing policy since the introduction of the 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines.

The NPS is intended to provide more clarity and consistency across the country on where, and how, new housing in rural and Gaeltacht areas can be developed nationally, by setting out:

·       Clearer definitions and categories of rural areas

·       Standardised criteria for assessing local rural housing need

·      Avoiding prescriptive local policies that place caps or limits on appropriate rural housing development

·       Consistent approach to rural zoning and designations across all local authorities

·       Guidance on siting, design and access arrangements

·   New guidance on new housing in Gaeltacht areas introducing standardised language competency assessments to prioritise Irish speakers

·    Vibrant rural towns and villages by addressing vacancy and water/wastewater deficits that are constraining growth including the developer led infrastructure (DLI) initiative

The draft NPS can be found at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/sustainable-rural-and-gaeltacht-housing-draft-nps-proposed-policy-direction/  

Our work with MarVal Power continues apace with permissions granted for significant rooftop solar installations at Boroimhe Shopping Centre, Swords, and South Court Hotel, Limerick. 

Proposed Variation No. 4 of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 has been published for public consultation.

You can view the draft Variation at this link https://consult.louthcoco.ie/en/consultation/proposed-variation-no-4-louth-county-development-plan-2021-2027-0 

The Variation comes on foot of the recent NPF First Revision and NPF Implementation Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities and includes zoning amendments in various settlements within the County.

Submissions / observations may be made to Louth County Council on the draft Variation until 4pm on Friday 24th July 2026.

Should you wish us to prepare a submission / observation on your behalf please get in touch to discuss. 

We are delighted to have assisted Hibernia Steel Products Limited in securing planning permission for a new galvanising facility at Mell, Drogheda.

This achievement follows significant input from our practice including:

·      Planning advice on site selection and feasibility.
·      Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team led by Boylan Consulting to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment and prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
·      Responding to five third party appeals lodged against Louth County Council’s decision to grant permission for the development.

The state of the art new facility will support Hibernia Steel’s continued growth and development, and provide significant new employment in Drogheda town.

Proposed Variation No. 2 of Monaghan County Council Development Plan 2025-2031 has been published for public consultation.

You can view the draft Variation at this link https://consult.monaghancoco.ie/en/consultation/proposed-variation-no-2-monaghan-county-development-plan-2025-2031 

The Variation comes on foot of the recent NPF First Revision and NPF Implementation Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities and includes zoning amendments in various settlements within the County.

Submissions / observations may be made to Monaghan County Council on the draft Variation until 5pm Thursday 11th June 2026.

Should you wish us to prepare a submission / observation on your behalf please get in touch to discuss. 

Within our practice library is a growing collection of plans and documents relating to historical Irish and international town planning.

Our latest addition is this original 1967 copy of the Myles Wright plan for the Dublin region. This plan was highly influential in the development of Dublin’s western suburbs.

The Plan consists of two main documents together with policy maps. Part 1 sets out the Plan proposals whilst Part 2 sets out the supporting evidence base. The Plan includes many interesting hand drawn diagrams and illustrations, such as the two shown here, the first depicting a view of Tallaght town centre as envisaged, the second a general conceptual layout for the new residential districts. The evidence base within Part 2 provides a fascinating snapshot of the Dublin region as it was in 1967, across a variety of themes.

We acquired this item from Inch’s books, Oxford. 

Parts of Dundalk and Drogheda are now designated under the ‘Living City Initiative’. The Living City Initiative (LCI) is a targeted tax incentive aimed at:

·       Tackling vacancy and dereliction in urban centres;

·       Increasing housing supply through refurbishment and reuse of existing buildings;

·       Encouraging people to live in town and city centres; and

·       Supporting the regeneration of the retail and commercial core of towns.

Further information, including maps of the designated areas, is available at this link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/press-releases/t%C3%A1naiste-formally-designates-five-new-towns-under-living-city-initiative/ 

Proposed Variation No. 5 of Meath County Council Development Plan 2021-2027 has been published for public consultation. You can view the draft Variation at this link https://consult.meath.ie/en/consultation/draft-variation-no-5-meath-county-development-plan-2021%E2%80%932027-varied

The Variation comes on foot of the recent NPF First Revision and NPF Implementation Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities and includes zoning amendments in various settlements within the County.

Submissions / observations may be made to Meath County Council on the draft Variation until 4pm Friday 1st May, 2026.

Should you wish us to prepare a submission / observation on your behalf please get in touch to discuss.

Meath County Council is commencing the preparation of the new Meath County Development Plan 2027-2033. 

The initial public consultation period is now open and closes at 4.00pm on 18th November 2025. 

A Strategic Issues Paper has been published which is available at the following link https://consult.meath.ie/en/consultation/meath-county-development-plan-2027-2033-pre-draft-strategic-issues-paper   

Should you wish us to prepare a submission / observation on your behalf please get in touch to discuss. 

Louth County Council is commencing the preparation of the new Louth County Development Plan 2027-2033. 

The initial public consultation period is now open and closes on 4.00pm on Friday 21st November 2025. 

A Strategic Issues Paper has been published which is available at the following link https://consult.louthcoco.ie/en/consultation/issues-paper-pre-draft-stage-louth-county-development-plan-2027-2033 

Should you wish us to prepare a submission / observation on your behalf please get in touch to discuss. 

Did you know? At Steven Peck Chartered Town Planner one of the things we pride ourselves on is our planning expertise across a wide range of development types. 

Projects we have worked on recently include:

·      Residential developments

·      Industrial developments

·      Office development

·      Commercial change-of-use

·      Waste development

·      Quarry development

·      Solar power development

·      Education / childcare facilities 

·      Church development

Contact us today to arrange an informal discussion of your project 

We are delighted to have assisted Leinster Environmentals in securing planning permission for an extension to its facility in Dundalk. 

This achievement was made possible through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team led by Boylan Consulting. 

The new extension will facilitate the company’s operations, which contribute significantly to the local circular economy sector. 

Contact us today to arrange an informal discussion of your project

We are delighted to have assisted Hibernia Steel Products Limited in securing planning permission for an extension to its facility in Grangegeeth, Co. Meath. 

This achievement was made possible through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team including ATC Building Surveying & Engineering Consultancy, Paul Martin SUDS design and Whitehill Environmental. 

The new extension will support Hibernia Steel’s continued growth and job creation. 

Contact us today to arrange an informal discussion of your project 

The new ‘NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ replace the ‘Housing Supply Target Methodology for Development Planning, Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ published in December 2020.   

The Guidelines include a requirement to plan for housing growth of over 55,000 units per annum nationally during the period 2025 to 2034 and growth of over 41,000 units per annum nationally during the period 2035 to 2040. This represents substantially increased growth targets over previous Guidance.  

 The Guidelines state that planning authorities should use ‘all available means to ensure that the objectives of the Guidelines are incorporated within development plans as quickly as possible’.   

The Guidelines can be found at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/section-28-guidelines-npf-implementation-housing-growth-requirements/ 

The Planning Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2025) set national planning policy and guidance in relation to the planning and development of apartment schemes to take account of current Government policy and economic, social and environmental considerations.    

The new Guidelines set out revised standards for apartment development in relation to matters including apartment mix; internal space standards for different types of apartments; dual aspect ratios; floor to ceiling heights; stair/lift core ratios; storage spaces; and amenity spaces including balconies/patios.  

The Guidelines replace the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, last issued in 2023 (and all preceding updates), issued as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Act, which are now revoked. 

The Guidelines can be found at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/design-standards-for-apartments-guidelines-for-planning-authorities/  

We are delighted to have assisted CPAC Modular Limited in securing planning permission for a state-of-the-art modular building manufacturing facility in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath. This achievement was made possible through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team led by Boylan Consulting. 

The attractively designed new facility will facilitate increased manufacturing efficiency and output, supporting CPAC Modular’s continued growth and job creation. 

Contact us today to arrange an informal discussion of your project

We are delighted to have joined Dundalk Chamber of Commerce today!

Did you know? Projects we’ve worked on recently include: 

·      An office building for a major multi-national company

·      A Masterplan for an industrial estate

·      A residential development in the UK 

The draft Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031 has been published for public consultation. 

You can view the draft Development Plan at this link https://monaghan.ie/planning/monaghan-county-development-plan-2025-2031/ 

Submissions / observations may be made to Monaghan County Council on the draft Development Plan until 5 pm on Thursday 14th November 2024. 

Should you wish us to prepare a submission / observation on your behalf please get in touch to discuss.