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

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Update on implementing Housing Growth Requirement Guidelines

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Local Authorities in July 2025.

Following publication of these guidelines local authorities are required to consider what changes are required to their existing city and county development plans in order to reflect the revised figures.

As a first step, the Chief Executive of each local authority must prepare a report for the elected members outlining the proposed approach to addressing the updated housing growth requirements. Following this, the local authorities undertake a process whereby they vary their city or county development plans by way of a public consultation process.

Local authorities are currently actively engaging with this process, and the OPR continues to work closely with local authorities to support this important work.

Updates on the progress of each local authority regarding the variations is now available here. This will be reviewed and updated regularly. 

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.