National Development Plan
The Government of Ireland released its review of the National Development Plan (NDP), providing revised departmental allocations for the 2026 to 2030 period which takes account of the revised financial position of the State since the NDP was originally released. The new Plan allocates €102.4 billion of sectoral capital allocations for the years 2026 to 2030 and a further €100 billion for 2030 to 2035. Headline investments of €1.5 billion for ESB, €2 billion for EirGrid Group, and €2.5 billion for Uisce Éireann Irish Water have been allocated to support all three companies in upgrading and expanding their utility infrastructure, enabling the delivery of new homes, communities, and key supporting infrastructure. A revised transport investment of €24.33 billion has also been allocated for the next five years to support key transport projects, including Metrolink.
While direct comparisons between departmental allocations are not possible for all departments due to reassignment of functions after the formation of the new government, the biggest proportional increases in capital funding between the original 2025 and reviewed 2026 allocations are for:
- Housing, Heritage, and Local Government (excluding Uisce Éireann): 47% increase
- Education and Youth: 54% increase
- Foreign Affairs: 60% increase
- Defence: 111% increase
Notably, the review has only provided departmental allocations. Call outs for specific projects for guaranteed funding are extremely limited. The Government has indicated that project funding is to be determined by each Department in the coming months and will be released as part of Budget 2026. As a result, it remains to be seen which specific projects can and will be delivered over the next five years.
Landmark Primark Store, Ennis Town Centre, Co Clare
We are delighted to confirm that a grant of planning permission from Clare County Council has been secured for a landmark store for Primark (Penneys) in Ennis Town Centre, Co. Clare.
The proposed development includes the construction of a new three-storey (over basement) retail store across a gross floor area of 3,550 sq. m., including the construction of a new riverside pedestrian walkway and upgrades to the public realm.
Delivery of this prominent scheme will bring about a renewed sense of place within the historic town centre, encouraging footfall and enhancing its vibrancy. The proposal is a ‘flagship waterfront development’ and will complete the river frontage to the River Feargus, providing an appropriate scale and form in line with the existing pattern of development in the area.
Penneys will ultimately serve as a primary retail destination within the town, encouraging other retailers and other businesses into the area, diversifying, and further strengthening the existing mix of services and other activities, improving the attractiveness and vitality of the town centre.
The planning submission included the combined reporting efforts of our Planning, Environmental, Ecology and Bat teams.
Lackareagh Wind Farm, Co. Clare
MKO is pleased to have received a grant of permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála for our client EDF Renewables Ireland Limited. The development is for a wind farm comprising 7 no. wind turbines and associated infrastructure, at Lackareagh Beg and adjacent townlands, in Co. Clare. The wind farm which will have a generating capacity of c. 46MW will contribute to achieving the national Climate Action Plan 2025 target of generating 9GW of electricity from onshore wind and 80% renewable electricity share by 2030.
MKO is proud to have provided Environmental Renewables, Ecology, Ornithology, Landscape and Visual, CAD, GIS, Bats, and Planning Renewables services for this project.
Planning news
New apartment guidelines
Minister for Housing James Browne has announced new apartment guidelines that introduce changes to minimum unit sizes, reduce requirements for private open space, and prevent local authorities from mandating communal, community, or cultural facilities within individual apartment schemes. These measures are part of a broader effort to streamline design standards and increase the viability of new residential developments.
Minister Browne says that the measures “will likely result in some cases in an average of €50k and up to €100k cost reduction per unit” and “get apartment building moving … without compromising on disability, fire regulations, or environmental requirements”.
Key changes include:
- Unit mix requirements within individual apartment developments have been omitted (with the exception of social / affordable housing and housing for older persons). This policy overrules conflicting provisions in existing development plans.
- Minor update to apartment sizes, with a standard for 3-bed, four person units provided, and minimum studio floorspace reduced to 32 sq.m.
- Dual aspect required for 25% of units (previously 33% in central and accessible locations and 50% in suburban or intermediate locations), with relaxation available in smaller infill or refurbishment schemes.
- Restrictions on the number of units per core have been removed.
- The inclusion of blanket requirements for communal, community and cultural facilities in apartment schemes has been prohibited and restricted to specific locations identified in development plans.
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition TDs, housing advocates, and Dublin City Council, who warn the new standards may prioritise developer profit over liveability. Critics also point to the 2018 relaxation of standards, which failed to deliver promised supply or affordability gains. As these changes take effect, the planning sector will be watching closely to see whether flexibility translates into viable, high-quality housing or erodes long-term standards.
Social housing approvals streamlined
Minister James Browne has announced a major reform to the approval process for social housing developments. The current four-stage process will be replaced by a single-stage approval system for all local authority and approved housing body schemes. Previously, only smaller projects (under €8 million or 25 units) qualified, now the streamlined process will apply across the board to accelerate delivery.
The Minister also plans to issue standardised design layouts and specifications for new-build social housing. These reforms aim to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks, enabling increased and faster delivery of council-led housing projects, with the goal of significantly boosting own-build output from local authorities.
DART+ West Advances – unlocking transport-oriented development opportunities
Recent withdrawal of two judicial reviews against the €1 billion DART+ West expansion has cleared the legal hurdles, allowing the project, which extends electrified services to Maynooth and the M3 Parkway to proceed. Once complete, train frequency will double from six to twelve per hour, boosting capacity from 5,000 to more than 13,000 passengers each way per hour.
This enhanced rail corridor unlocks significant potential for transit-oriented development. With fast, reliable electrified services and new or upgraded stations at Spencer Dock, Connolly, and along the Maynooth/M3 route, planners and developers can focus on high-density, mixed-use schemes within easy walking distance of transit.
Renewables news
Best June on record for Irish wind farms
Irish wind farms experienced a record June 2025, supplying 30% of Ireland’s electricity demand. This coincided with a fifth consecutive monthly drop in average wholesale electricity prices, reaching €95.21 per megawatt-hour, the lowest since April 2024. On windy days, prices averaged €67.15/MWh, significantly lower than €115.06/MWh on fossil fuel-reliant days. Renewable energy has saved Irish electricity consumers nearly €1 billion since 2000, and wind farms saved over €1.2 billion on gas spending last year. Accelerating new wind and solar projects is key to further reducing fossil fuel reliance and ensuring energy security.
Minister O’Brien secures government approval for new ‘Private Wires’ policy to unlock private investment in electricity infrastructure
On July 15, 2025, Minister O’Brien secured government approval for the new ‘Private Wires’ policy, a significant reform of electricity infrastructure rules. This policy will unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage, and facilitate low-cost Electric Vehicle charging.
Previously, only ESB Networks could own lines connecting generators to customers. Now, private investors can build and own such lines in specific cases, including:
- Direct connections between generators (like wind or solar farms) and customers (e.g., factories).
- Shared grid connections for multiple generators or battery installations.
- Solutions for on-street EV charging.
- Allowing a firm to self-supply electricity to a neighbouring customer without crossing third-party land.
The next steps involve enacting primary legislation and adopting supporting regulations, with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) taking on this new area of regulation. The policy aims to accelerate renewable deployment while ensuring the National Electricity Grid remains in public ownership and is not undermined.
Public consultations
Carlow County Council
Proposed variation No. 2 of the Carlow County Development Plan 2022-2028. Public Consultation Period: 24th June – 28th July 2025
Westmeath County Council
Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027. Public Consultation Period: 8th July – 13th August 2025.
The amendments include the Draft Mullingar Settlement Plan 2025-2031 and ensuring that the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027 is fully aligned with the Specific Planning Policy Requirements (SPPRs) set out in the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2024.
Sligo County Council
Issues Paper for Sligo Town and Environs Urban Plan Area. Public Consultation Period: 9th July – 22nd August 2025