Time-bound planning application process will be important in any SHD replacement

Property Industry Ireland (PII), the Ibec group for businesses working in the property sector, said the commitment to a time-bound planning application process is important in any Strategic Housing Development (SHD) replacement.

Commenting on the announcement that the SHD process would end early, PII Director, Dr. David Duffy stated: “SHDs were established as one solution to accelerate housing delivery to help with the housing crisis. The process has successfully delivered planning permission for a large number of homes. The full details of any replacement procedure should be announced so that there is clarity for planning applications going forward. Any replacement process should incorporate the many positive elements contained in the SHD process such as time limits and early engagement with the local authority and An Bord Pleanala.

“It will be important that the planning functions within local authorities are given the resources to deal with large scale housing development applications.”