Ireland's Housing Minister James Browne advances planning reforms and affordable housing proposal

Ireland's Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne welcomed the enactment of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2026, signed by the President. The legislation streamlines judicial review procedures for planning decisions, removes the need for leave before commencing a review, and allows cases to revert to the stage of a procedural breach rather than being entirely quashed. It also limits further appeals to the Court of Appeal in certain cases and clarifies 10‑year development plans, aiming to reduce delays, legal costs and accelerate housing and infrastructure delivery.

In a related move, Browne plans to propose a reduction in the required share of affordable housing on public‑land developments in larger towns, lowering the mandatory percentage from 80% to 50% in cities such as Dublin and Cork. The proposal also expands the powers of the Land Development Agency, extending its scope to areas with populations over 10,000, broadening compulsory purchase authority and granting the government new powers to direct state bodies to dispose of land to the agency.