Important changes to planning law are taking effect as the Planning and Development Act 2024 is being commenced on a phased basis.

Information Seminar on Large-scale Residential Development Arrangements Delivered

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) in conjunction with the OPR has today, 10th March delivered a wide-ranging information seminar on the implementation of the new Large-scale Residential Development (LRD) arrangements introduced under the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021.

Large-scale Residential Developments (LRDs) will replace the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process.

A large-scale residential development is:

  • A development of 100 or more housing units,
  • Development of student accommodation comprising 200 or more bed spaces,
  • A combination of student accommodation and houses, where the threshold is met for either element.

A new feature of the LRD legislation is that provision is made for up to 30% of the gross floor space of the proposed development to be for other uses, instead of the 15% cap under the SHD arrangements.

Today’s seminar featured presentations from staff from the DHLGH, An Bord Pleanála and South Dublin County Council. They gave an overview of the new LRD arrangements, provided a perspective from a local authority and examined the lessons from the SHD process. There was also a Q&A session.

The seminar was aimed at local authority planning staff, An Bord Pleanála staff, private planning practitioners, and construction sector interests, such as property developers, construction representative bodies, etc.

The presentations are now available: 

Disclaimer

The Planning and Development Act 2024 was signed into law on 17 October 2024. The Act is being commenced on a phased basis to facilitate a smooth transition from the existing legislation to the new legislation. It is important to note that transitional arrangements are in place. This means that certain elements of the work of the OPR remain under the previous legislation during this time.

This website will be updated at the earliest opportunity to correspond with the commencement of the various Parts of the Act.

Information on the commencement of the Act is available on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage website.