Planning for growth: Turning policy into delivery
The Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) works on behalf of government, citizens, planning authorities, elected representatives, and the planning sector. Niall Cussen, Planning Regulator, discusses its role.
Implementation and delivery are key priorities for the planning system right now.
Our communities need many more homes in the right locations, delivered more cost effectively, and supported by infrastructure that enables quality of life.
Our economy’s competitiveness depends on major ramping up of delivery of energy, water, transport, waste management, and communications infrastructure.
Our environment demands that we do all of the above sustainably, in a way that decarbonises our economy and protects and enhances biodiversity.
Our planning system can and must enable such accelerated and sustainable development working with agility within a framework of engagement and public buy-in.
It is therefore right that government has driven an unprecedented programme of planning reform. The National Planning Framework has been updated with new housing and renewable energy targets. Implementation of the 2024 Planning and Development Act and 2026 regulations is ongoing. A new excellence framework for planning service delivery and many more initiatives are underway.
Our job as the independent regulator of the planning system is to see that the Government programme of policy and operational reform is implemented in practice by the local government system and An Coimisúin Pleanála through our regulatory and oversight functions, and in provision of training and targeted supports to maximise efficiency and consistency in the performance of planning authorities.
Approaching new regional, spatial, and economic strategies of the regional assemblies and the subsequent new 10-year city and county development plans will realise the potential of new systems for forward planning. We are looking forward to realising the potential of these initiatives, working in providing frontline supports, training, and research insights for the local government sector and wider stakeholders.
We have published a new strategy for 2026-2031 to ensure we play our full part in the process of planning reform. The new strategy focuses on bringing about a stronger culture of performance and improvement in planning, drawing on strong connections across the public and private sector.
With a fresh and clear policy and legislative context and appropriate systems and resources, planning can ensure the demands of a growing population are met.
As Ireland’s Planning Regulator, my team and I respect and value our role in ensuring the Government’s planning policy ambition translates into delivery, meeting ongoing needs of our communities, our economy, and our environment in the public interest.
W: www.opr.ie
