Planning news
St Nicholas Collegiate Church
MKO is pleased to announce St Nicholas Collegiate Church in receiving a grant of permission for the installation of a new organ in the historic church building. The existing organ has come to the end of its lifecycle and will need to be replaced in order to continue to support the church’s strong, living musical tradition. The new organ will be located in the north transept, freeing up St. Patricks Chapel to be repurposed in the future. It will also remove the existing modern partition and storage currently located in the north transept, helping to create a more visually cohesive and integrated space.
The application was driven by the St. Nicholas Conservation Plan which was prepared in 2021 to guide the ongoing conservation and evolution of the church over the coming decades. The organ itself will be built in the Netherlands, before being shipped to Ireland and installed. It is intended that the new organ will be a landmark instrument at an international level. The instrument will serve the community for years to come, while also make a significant contribution to Galway’s musical and cultural heritage. MKO is happy to have provided planning services for the organ application. As part of the project, MKO is also pleased to be contributing to a wider masterplan for the St Nicholas campus. The coming masterplan will deliver a strategy for the reconfiguration, refurbishment, and extension of the church.
Big drop in planning refusals in Galway Gaeltacht regions
Planning refusal rates in Galway’s Gaeltacht areas have fallen significantly over the past year, according to figures presented to an Oireachtas committee. Data from Galway County Council shows that more than 86% of planning applications in these regions were approved, with 324 successful applicants resulting in a refusal rate of 13.8%, a notable decrease from 24.8% the previous year. While the figures indicate improved outcomes for applicants and align with approval rates across the wider county, concerns have been raised about how the planning system supports the Irish language. Campaign group Bánú argued that current policies fail to adequately recognise the importance of enabling Irish speakers to live in Gaeltacht communities. An example was highlighted where an Irish speaker was refused permission to build in their native area due to not meeting local housing need criteria, despite their connection to the Gaeltacht. The group maintains that planning policy should better facilitate the return of Irish speakers to these regions in order to sustain and strengthen the language, suggesting that current approaches may overlook this broader cultural objective.
Renewables news
Iran war sparks renewables boom as Europeans rush to buy solar, heat pumps and EVs
The ongoing war in Iran has triggered a sharp shift in energy behaviour across Europe, with households and businesses increasingly turning to renewable technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicles. The conflict has disrupted global oil and gas supplies, driving up prices and highlighting the risks of relying on fossil fuels, which has made alternative energy sources more attractive and economically viable.
As a result, demand for small-scale and household renewable solutions has surged, with many Europeans seeking greater energy independence and protection from volatile fuel costs. Technologies like rooftop solar and electrified heating systems are becoming more accessible and cost-effective, reinforcing the perception that clean energy is not only environmentally beneficial but also a practical response to geopolitical instability.
Overall, the crisis is accelerating Europe’s transition towards renewable energy, shifting the motivation beyond climate goals to include energy security and affordability, and potentially driving long-term changes in how energy is produced and consumed across the region.
Policy and legislation
Office of the Planning Regulator faces overhaul amid concern over delays
The Government is considering a significant overhaul of the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) amid growing concerns that its processes may be contributing to delays in housing and critical infrastructure delivery. A new review, expected to go before Cabinet, will examine whether the regulator’s current role and structure remain fit for purpose within Ireland’s planning system.
Established in 2019 to oversee planning standards and ensure compliance, the OPR is now facing scrutiny from within Government, with some officials concerned that its interventions may be slowing down development. The proposed review will assess how its functions align with national priorities such as housing supply and infrastructure delivery, as well as whether its regulatory responsibilities conflict with its broader role in the planning system.
The move forms part of wider efforts to address bottlenecks in the planning process, with policymakers increasingly focused on speeding up decision-making to meet housing demand and support major projects. The outcome of the review could lead to structural or operational changes aimed at improving efficiency while maintaining appropriate oversight of planning decisions.
Public consultations
Carlow County Council
Proposed material alternations to: Proposed Variation No. 3 of the Carlow County Development Plan, 2022-2028 to incorporate the Tullow District Town Plan. Open: 24th March – 21th April 2026 at 5:00pm.
Dublin City Council
Notice of Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No.10 (Kylemore Masterplan) of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028. Open: 31st March – 28 April 2026 at 4:30pm.
Dublin City Council
Proposed Variation No.11 of the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028. Open: 31st March – 28 April 2026 at 4:30pm.
Longford County Council
Proposed Variation No. 1 – Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027. Open: 20th March – 17th April 2026 at 4:00pm.
Meath County Council
Draft Variation No. 5 to the Meath County Development Plan 2021–2027 (as varied). Open: 31st March – 1st May 2026 at 4:00pm.
Tipperary County Council
Proposed Variation No 1. to the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022 – 2028. Open: 20th March – 20th April 2026 at 4:00pm.