The Development of a Part 8 Social Housing Scheme in Ballymacool, Letterkenny
MKO is pleased to announce the approval by the Donegal County Council (DCC) Elected Members of a Part 8 Social Housing Scheme in Ballymacool, Letterkenny. The development will consist of 172 no. social housing units including 18 one-bedroom apartments, 38 two-bedroom apartments, 18 three-bedroom maisonettes, 13 two-bedroom houses, 57 three-bedroom houses, 13 four-bedroom houses, 4 five-bedroom houses, 10 two-bedroom independent living houses, and 1 five bedroom group home (with an HSE employee on-site).
The development will also deliver almost 1.3Ha of verdant new public open spaces, as well as the continuation of an active travel route through the development linking to the town centre. Further, it will help to define the character of a fast growing neighbourhood of Letterkenny, and will benefit from its proximity to the Ballymacool Park and the Donegal Centre for Independent Living. The design is also notable for its use of the existing sloped nature of the site to help define its character and create a strong sense of place. As part of a multidisciplinary team working on behalf of DCC, MKO prepared the planning, ecology, and environmental inputs for the development. We are proud to be helping to deliver crucial new homes for Letterkenny and Donegal, and look forward to seeing this exciting development come to life.
Renewable news
Wind Energy Ireland welcomes Budget 2026
Wind Energy Ireland has welcomed the €8 million funding announced in Budget 2026 to support offshore wind development, particularly by enabling marine surveys to locate sites for future wind farms ahead of the national Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP). The investment will also strengthen key state agencies such as MARA, EirGrid, and ESB Networks by increasing their capacity to manage and regulate the expansion of wind energy..
Renewables and Coal: Ireland’s Energy Transition
Ireland’s energy landscape is undergoing a major transformation as renewables continue to outpace coal in electricity generation. The country is rapidly expanding its wind, solar, and bioenergy capacity, while coal use declines due to stricter emissions regulations and changing market conditions. This transition is being driven by government policy and industry investment aimed at meeting national climate targets and strengthening energy security. The trend highlights a pivotal moment in Ireland’s move toward a low-carbon future, where renewable energy sources are not only replacing fossil fuels but reshaping the country’s overall energy system.
IEA trims renewables outlook as US policy shifts and China auction reforms weigh
The United States is undergoing a significant shift in its energy and climate policy as momentum builds toward expanding renewable energy production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Recent political developments indicate a move away from coal and oil, with growing bipartisan recognition of the need for cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. Federal discussions are now focused on strengthening incentives for wind, solar, and emerging renewable technologies, with new funding and policy mechanisms being explored to accelerate investment. This renewed focus reflects not only environmental priorities but also economic and strategic goals, as the U.S. seeks to modernize its energy infrastructure, create green jobs, and enhance long-term energy security in line with global climate commitments.
Policy and legislation
Implementation of the new planning act – October 2025
This month has seen significant movement in Ireland’s planning system, with key parts of the Planning and Development Act 2024 officially coming into force on 2 October. One of the most notable changes is the replacement of the old Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines with new National Planning Statements, which local and regional authorities are now required to follow. Regional Assemblies will also review their Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) to ensure full alignment with the updated National Planning Framework (NPF). These changes aim to strengthen national consistency and clarity in planning decisions.The Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2025, which came into operation on 1 August, has introduced new protections for planning permissions delayed by judicial review. The time spent in legal proceedings will no longer count against the lifespan of a planning permission, and certain housing permissions can be extended if they meet the required conditions. This move is intended to reduce uncertainty for developers and make better use of existing planning permissions.
Further reform is on the way as the Government plans to raise the threshold for legal challenges to major infrastructure projects, seeking to reduce the delays caused by repeated court actions. Alongside this, An Bord Pleanála has been restructured and renamed An Coimisiún Pleanála to reflect its new role under the 2024 Act, with updated governance and decision-making procedures now in place. Earlier this year, the Revised National Planning Framework 2025 was approved by the Government and the Oireachtas, providing an updated vision for spatial development, housing targets, infrastructure investment, and renewable energy zones. The framework will now guide all regional and local plans across the country.
The Central Bank of Ireland has recently highlighted that planning delays remain the key barrier to increasing housing supply, rather than financing. Developers are therefore hopeful that Budget 2026 will bring further relief measures, such as reduced development levies or targeted tax incentives to support housing delivery. Internationally, similar reform efforts are underway in the UK, where proposals under a new Planning and Infrastructure Bill and AI Bill would relax certain planning requirements for major data centre developments and reduce the number of possible legal challenges.
Overall, Ireland’s planning reform continues to move toward greater national consistency, streamlined approvals, and improved certainty for developers though the balance between efficiency and community participation remains an ongoing debate.
Public consultations
Kerry County Council:
Proposed Variation No 2 of the Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028 Material Alterations. Public Consultation Period: 2nd October 2025 – 31st October 2025
Louth County Council
Issues Paper for the Pre-Draft Stage of the Louth County Development Plan 2027-2033. Public Consultation Period: 23rd September – 21st November 2025.
Carlow County Council
Proposed Variation No. 2 of the Carlow County Development Plan 2022-2028. Public Consultation Period: 23rd September – 22nd October 2025.
Kildare County Council
Proposed Variation No. 2 – Newbridge Settlement Plan – of the Kildare County Development Plan 2023 – 2029. Public Consultation Period: 17th September – 16th October 2025.
Meath County Council
Meath County Development Plan 2027-2033 Pre-Draft Strategic Issues Paper. Public Consultation Period: 23rd September – 18th November 2025.