Planning Regulator and Deputy Regulator address Irish Planning Institute’s (IPI) series of online Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses

Both the Planning Regulator, Niall Cussen and the Deputy Planning Regulator, Anne Marie O’Connor have addressed the first two online training events organised by the IPI and supported by the Office of the Planning Regulator.

The training, which started on 24 April, consists of a series of four on-line CPD courses which examine different issues of significant relevance to the planning profession. The first two events have been hugely popular with several hundred on-line attendees across both sessions.

On Friday, 24 April, the Planning Regulator, Niall Cussen delivered the introduction to the first session where he spoke about Urban Regeneration and Place Making. Among the issues he referred to was the need for new attitudes, knowledge and skills when preparing and implementing Urban Regeneration and Place Making Strategies.

Today, 1 May, the Deputy Planning Regulator, Anne Marie O’Connor delivered a presentation on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In her address she dealt with topics including; EIA and the changing nature of planning, the differences between EIA Directive and the Habitats Directive and EIA screening and pre-screening requirements.

There are two remaining sessions which will take place on Friday, 8 May and Friday, 15 May respectively.

The courses are open to all professional planning staff working in planning departments across local authorities and regional assemblies whether or not they are IPI members. They are free of charge.

Local authority or regional assembly planners wishing to register for any of these online programmes should email info@ipi.ie

Details of remaining sessions:

Session Three: Friday 8 May – Law Briefing for Planners

Location: Webinar via Zoom

Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm

Speakers confirmed include the following:

  • Chair: Yvonne McMahon, Town Planner & Project Manager at McArdle Doyle
  • Eamon Galligan, Senior Counsel
  • Rachel Minch, Partner, Philip Lee, solicitors

Session Four: Friday 15 May – Viability and Feasibility in Planning

Location: Webinar via Zoom

Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm

Speakers confirmed include the following

  • Chair: Mary Mac Mahon, MIPI, John Spain Associates.
  • Jerry Barnes, MIPI, MacCabe Durney Barnes
  • Paul Mitchell, MRICS, Director and co-Founder of Mitchell McDermott Construction Consultants.