Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016

The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016, which is priority legislation to be published during this Autumn session of Dáil Éireann, includes provisions to fast track applications for 100+ housing units and student accommodation units, directly to An Bord Pleanála’s proposed new Strategic Housing Division, for a period of three years up to end 2019. Detailed 9 week pre-application consultation, including with the Local Authority, is to be required for residential proposals on zoned land prior to lodgement with An Bord Pleanála, with a decision to be made within 16 weeks of the application being made, save in exceptional circumstances where an oral hearing is held (there shall be a presumption against holding an oral hearing).  There are also changes proposed to applications to extend the duration of permitted but incomplete residential developments; new screening arrangements for environment impact assessments (EIA) for certain types of works; and amendments to the procedures for Local authority own development. See http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/general_scheme_-_housing_miscellaneous_provisions_bill_2016.pdf for further details