Backlog in planning system eases while pace of decision-making slows

An Coimisiún Pleanála chief executive described the progress in clearing the backlog as 'significant'

The year-on-year backlog in the planning system reduced by 16.7% in 2025.

The backlog of planning cases reduced by 16.7% last year while the pace of decision-making slowed, according to new figures published on Tuesday in An Coimisiún Pleanála's (ACP) 2025 annual report.

Over 2025, the number of appeals and direct applications to the commission increased from 2,727 in the previous year to 2,857 cases. The commission decided 3,199 cases in 2025, managing to reduce the year-on-year backlog by 16.7%.

Some 1,307 cases remained undecided at the end of December 2025, down from 1,569 cases at the prior year end.

APC chief executive Peter Mullan described the organisation's progress in reducing the backlog of cases as "significant", in the context of a caseload high of 3,600 in May 2023.

However, fewer cases were decided last year compared to 2024. This slowdown was in part attributed to a loss of three planning case decision-makers between June and December 2025. There are now 13 planning commissioners. The commission also cited an increased complexity in applications and the designation of additional areas of responsibility to the commission as other reasons for the slower pace.

It took an average of 27 weeks to decide all planning cases, down from 41.7 weeks in 2024. This meant more than 60% of all planning cases were decided within the statutory objective period, up from 25% in 2024.

The compliance rate for the timeline of decision-making of normal planning appeals lodged and disposed of during 2025 was 94.5% compared with 100% for local authority projects. All 77 large-scale residential development case decisions in 2025 were made within the 16-week statutory period.

There were 143 new judicial reviews lodged in 2025, challenging 136 decisions of the commission. Of the 115 judicial reviews which reached a substantive conclusion or judgment during that year, 37 cases were won by the commission, 35 cases were withdrawn by the applicant, four cases were concluded through a no-fault disposal, and 39 cases were conceded or lost by the commission.

In terms of housing, the commission approved 15,106 new housing units in 2025, including 48 large-scale residential development projects, 424 normal planning appeals, and two strategic housing developments.

All 86 Residential Zoned Land Tax appeals received within the year were formally decided or otherwise disposed of, with a 98% compliance rate with the 16-week deadline. The commission disposed of 82% of derelict site cases it received in 2025.

The number of strategic infrastructure development cases received by ACP increased by 24.6% to 177 cases. Notable projects decided during the year included MetroLink, Finglas Luas, Dart North, the Slane Bypass, and the Greater Dublin Drainage project.

The commission received 10 direct applications under the Renewable Energy Directive III after it came into effect in August 2025, and 11 applications for maritime projects, including offshore windfarms, port infrastructure, and undersea cables. Four of these cases were concluded in 2025 and five ‘phase one’ offshore renewable energy projects remained under assessment.

"Looking ahead, we expect the volume and complexity of the commission’s workload to continue to increase as more large-scale infrastructure, and renewable energy applications are received," said Mr Mullan.