Ireland round-up: Milestone for Ireland’s vacant sites regime; Green light for Leopardstown development

Milestone for Ireland’s vacant sites regime

The chief executive of the state’s housing agency, John O’Connor, is reported to have warned ministers against increasing the vacant sites levy from 3 per cent to 7 per cent from 2020.

The Planner

Green light for Leopardstown development

Developer Michael Cotter has been given the green light by An Bord Pleanála to build 341 new homes on lands surrounding the British Ambassador's official residence at Leopardstown in south county Dublin, under the fast-track planning regime for major residential development.

Irish Independent

Bray scheme refused

An Bord Pleanála has refused permission for a mixed-use development of 267 new homes, retail and office space at the village of Kilcoole in Bray, County Wexford, partly because of flooding issues and the impact on birdlife.

Bray People

Northwood housing mooted

Developer Kategale Ltd has applied to Fingal County Council to build up to 200 new homes on a 1.75-hectare site at Northwood, between Santry and Dublin Airport.

Irish Independent

Regional development imbalance?

Site visit data from the Industrial Development Authority has underlined the overwhelming industrial focus on Dublin and the eastern seaboard, according to Fianna Fáil politicians who questioned the government’s commitment to balanced regional development.

Irish Independent

Species extinctions fears

Mass extinction of species is happening on Ireland’s doorstep, thanks to the impact of climate change, according to the Irish Wildlife Trust.

Irish Times

Online service could trigger planning fee review

The introduction of a national online planning service later this year should trigger a review of planning fees to make them more cost-reflective, An Bord Pleanála chairman Dave Walsh is reported as saying in an interview with the Irish Independent.

Irish Independent

Concerns raised over River Liffey bridge on underground scheme

Plans for a €17 million bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin’s Docklands have been scuppered by An Bord Pleanála amid concerns over the potential impact on the shelved Dart Underground scheme.

Irish Times