Planning system must be modernised, says British Irish Chamber

The British Irish Chamber of Commerce has called on the Government to modernise the planning system to facilitate the delivery of critical infrastructure or risk the economy losing out on investment.

The call was made at a seminar focused on planning reform that brought together policymakers, planners and business leaders from Ireland and Britain.

"The planning delays experienced by many involved in the development of critical infrastructure has the potential to undermine Ireland's ability to attract inward investment," said Paul Lynam, deputy director-general of the chamber.

Among the priorities should be renewable energy projects, attendees said, with attention firmly on the growing climate and energy crisis.

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"With both a climate and energy crisis threatening our world, it is now more important than ever to build and invest in renewable energy projects. But issues in the Irish planning system are a major barrier to this," said Claire Walsh, project manager at energy company Statkraft Ireland.

“It is essential that we implement some key changes in the planning system to allow us to quickly develop this critical, climate-saving infrastructure and build a cleaner, greener future.”

Potential steps raised include An Bord Pleanála prioritising certain strategic infrastructure development applications or appeals.

Obstacles

Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke, who spoke at the event, said there were many obstacles to good planning. He outlined the Government's plans to reform it, including the introduction of a new environment and planning court, the resourcing of the planning regulator and the review and reform of judicial review.

“Our planning system must be agile and adaptable to manage the various challenges we face, whether Brexit, the Covid pandemic or more recently, the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis,” he said. “Above all, we must move towards a plan-led system. This coupled with the review of the Planning and Development Act by the Attorney General will ensure our planning system will be fit for purpose and facilitated to work on behalf of all stakeholders.”