Top planning judge says courts don't quash developments over 'mere technicities'

Mr Justice Richard Humphreys said a developer’s failure to erect a fresh planning site notice for a 221-bed student accommodation development 'isn't harmless error'

Mr Justice Richard Humphreys said that 'contrary to an extraordinarily popular delusion these days, courts don’t tend to quash things on the basis of mere technicities.'

Sun, 30 Nov, 2025 - 16:32

Gordon Deegan

The High Court has quashed permission for a 221-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme for a site in Swords in north Dublin due to the developer’s failure to erect a fresh planning site notice.

In quashing Dublin City Council's permission, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys said that “contrary to an extraordinarily popular delusion these days, courts don’t tend to quash things on the basis of mere technicities”.