Parachute planning and place making must come to an end

THIS year marks an important anniversary.

The modern Irish planning system was introduced on October 1, 1964, when the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 came into force “to make provision, in the interests of the common good, for the proper planning and development of cities, towns and other areas”.

In light of recent commentary regarding planning and a potential housing bubble, 50 years on from this act where are we, and what have we learned? Many planning authorities were criticised in the past for having excessive levels of zoning.