'Planning is everyone’s whipping boy and scapegoat for issues around housing and infrastructure'

Irish Planning Institute's annual conference in Galway calls for evidence-led solutions to State's capacity challenges

Irish Planning Institute president Gavin Lawlor said evidence-led solutions were needed to help solve the capacity challenges facing the state. Picture: Fennell Photography

The planning system has become the “scapegoat” for every issue related to housing, infrastructure and other areas of the economy, the Irish Planning Institute's annual conference in Galway has heard.

In his address to 400 delegates attending the annual conference of the Irish Planning Institute, president Gavin Lawlor said evidence-led solutions were needed to help solve the capacity challenges facing the state. Mr Lawlor said more KPIs are needed for successful planning, going beyond the number of housing units delivered each year.