The chorus is rising on the new planning bill: The emperor has no clothes

The current bill is not just a conscious rollback on environmental democracy it also risks delays to delivering homes and climate action infrastructure, writes Attracta Uí Bhroin

The facts show that Judicial Review is not abused. Just 3% of An Bord Pleanála’s decisions in 2021 were subject to JR even amidst the notorious Strategic Housing issues. That’s just 0.25% of all planning decisions. 

When it comes to the new Draft Planning and Development Bill, the crowd shouting this emperor has no clothes is growing. 

Government dressed the bill up saying it will bring certainty and speed to development. But an Oireachtas Committee report published last Thursday, with an unprecedented 153 recommendations, reflects concerns of multiple stakeholders that it will cause delay and uncertainty, and signals that extensive work is needed before it advances.