Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT)
Following the deferral of the first liability date, the revised Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) maps have been published and are now open for consultation in all 31 Local Authorities until 31 May 2024. The RZLT is a new tax aimed at increasing housing supply by activating zoned, serviced residential development lands (including mixed-use lands) for housing. Lands which are zoned residential, are sufficiently serviced and do not currently have a dwelling which is subject to Local Property Tax on it are eligible. Owners of dwellings, where the land/gardens/yards attached to it are greater than 0.4047 hectares, landowners will have to register for the RZLT with the Revenue Commissioners, but you will not be liable to pay the tax. It should be noted that existing residential properties may appear on local authority maps, even if they are exempt based on the conditions above. The revised maps can be found at the link below.
Athenry Local Area Plan Published with Draft Ministerial Direction
The draft Ministerial Direction of the Athenry Local Area Plan (LAP) 2024-2030 was published in February 2024. Eight sites have been reverted to their initial status within the original draft Local Area Plan. Public consultation on the changes to the LAP as a result of the Ministerial Direction can be made until 14th March 2024 to Galway County Council.
Planning and Development Bill update
The highly anticipated Planning and Development Bill 2023 completed by Dail Eireann in late 2023, which is the Second Stage to consolidate and revise Irish law regarding planning and development. The Bill is currently at the Committee Stage, which addresses the Bill section by section and in which Amendments are expected. Several Amendments have already been set out in February and many include clarification and revised definitions as set out in the Bill.
Climate Action Plans
The Local Authority Climate Action Plans for each respective authority are expected to be adopted by February 24th. They are expected to be published on a rolling basis for the next several weeks and are being reviewed for noteworthy updates.
All things rail
Metrolink oral hearings have kicked off in Dublin at the Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street. A flurry of media cover has highlighted the contributions of speakers thus far including senators, councillors, and other public figures. The hearings are currently scheduled to continue until March 28th. The latest schedule of speakers is available on the An Bord Pleanála website, with updates being published as they progress and the schedule is updated.
Shared Island Funding
The Irish government has announced a substantial €800 million funding package for cross-border infrastructure and development projects in light of the return of power-sharing in Northern Ireland, marking the largest-ever allocation for such initiatives. Among the key projects included in this package is the €600 million allocated for the A5 upgrade in Derry, aimed at improving connectivity to Donegal. €50 million has been earmarked for the redevelopment of Casement Park GAA stadium in Belfast, intended to help spur broader regeneration in the area. Other initiatives encompassed in the funding package span from hourly cross-border rail service to educational and enterprise schemes.
Major Live Consultations per OPR
Drogheda Joint Local Area Plan
County Louth and County Meath are preparing to prepare a Joint Local Area Plan for Drogheda. A Strategic Issues Paper which provides an overview of challenges and opportunities in Drogheda. This Plan will set out the land use strategy for the future of Drogheda with the intended focus on population and economic growth, housing and community facilities, regeneration, climate change, environmental protection and investment in infrastructure.
You can make a submission on the Issues Paper for the future draft Joint Local Area Plan by 4:30 PM on 15th March 2024.
Or in writing, with the label of “Pre-Draft Issues Paper Drogheda Joint Local Area Plan” either to:
- Planning Section, Louth County Council, Town Hall, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth A91 W20C
- Senior Executive Officer, Planning Section, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath C15 Y291
Blessington Local Area Plan
County Wicklow is beginning to prepare a Local Area Plan and has prepared an Issues Paper to guide the considerations for the future LAP. Topics currently under consideration include:
- Housing, population, and compact growth
- Regeneration of communities and places, healthy placemaking, and urban design
- Economic opportunity, tourism, shops and services and community facilities
- Heritage, biodiversity, green infrastructure, climate action and energy
- Infrastructure, sustainable movement and transportation
- Environmental assessment and implementation/delivery of the LAP
Submissions can be made until Wednesday, 3rd April 2024.