Ireland round-up: Minister voices frustration at planning judicial reviews; Cabinet agrees National Development Plan review

Minister voices frustration at planning judicial reviews

Housing housing minister Darragh O’Brien has voiced frustration at the excessive use of the judicial review system to overturn planning decisions.

The Planner

Cabinet agrees to National Development Plan review 

The cabinet has approved a review of the state’s National Development Plan, which is set to be completed by the second quarter of 2021.

Irish Times

Change of use for capital student schemes

Dublin City Council has approved proposals for five purpose-built student facilities across the capital providing 1,600 student accommodation beds to be converted into tourist or short-term worker flats for the current academic year.

Irish Times

Fast-track BTR proposal for south County Dublin

Lands associated with the family of Michael Fingleton, the former head of the Irish Nationwide Building Society, are the subject of contentious proposals for a fast-track housing scheme of 194 build-to-rent (BTR) flats at Shankill, in south County Dublin.

Irish Times

Bog dope farms junked 

Proposals to transform Ireland’s state-owned bogs into farms cultivating marijuana for medical use have been shelved.

Irish Times

Wheels fall off Dublin cycle scheme

The development of a €20 million cycle path from Fairview to Connolly Station in Dublin has been halted amid funding and design disputes between the city council, the National Transport Authority and Irish Water.

Irish Times

County Longford turbine appeal

Kiernan Milling, an animal feed producer, is appealing against Longford County Council’s refusal of its proposed single wind turbine in Granardkill, Barony.  The scheme proved controversial with local people, conservation bodies and tourist interests.

Irish Times

Balbriggan redevelopment moves

The redevelopment of key areas of Balbriggan has been given a major boost with Fingal County Council’s acquisition of several derelict buildings in the town.

Fingal County Council

Author fails to block plans for Bono’s old school

Sheila O’Flanagan, one of the country’s best-selling authors, has failed in her bid to prevent rock star Bono’s old school securing planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for a new school on Malahide Road, Clontarf in north Dublin.

Irish Times

Hotel scheme for Dublin’s Markets district disappoints

Revised proposals for a new 98-bedroom hotel in the Markets area of Dublin, on a site that includes the former Boland’s bakery and biscuit factory off Capel Street, have triggered objections from neighbouring businesses, property owners and local politicians.

Irish Independent