The Dublin City Development Plan plays a key role in ensuring the delivery of sustainable housing in the city. It encourages residential development through its proactive land management policies.
A key policy priority is the promotion of 18 Strategic Development and Regeneration Areas (SDRAs) to accommodate an estimated need of over 40,000 housing units over the next 6 years. This will need to be delivered in tandem with the requisite physical and social infrastructure to ensure that Dublin remains an attractive and competitive capital city.
Planning Applications and Housing Delivery
The Dublin Housing Task Force (DHTF) provides a quarterly update of residential planning and construction activity in Dublin. As of Q4 2021, there were 6,174 residential units under construction in Dublin City,
28,475 residential units with extant permissions and a further 5,389 proposed residential units pending a planning decision. In addition, there were potentially 20,051 residential units at pre planning application
consultation stage.
Dublin City Council DHTF Returns
Prior to the onset of Covid-19, Dublin City was experiencing a surge in construction activity, which was interrupted in 2020. However, current indicators show that construction activity has successfully re-opened and it is expected that future DHTF returns for 2022 will demonstrate continued strong growth in housing construction.
A recurring pattern each year is the high volume of extant permissions in comparison to sites under construction. In 2021, permissions for 18,676 residential units had not been activated; with this low uptake of permissions now a trend over a number of years. The DHTF data shows that the level of extant permissions has more than trebled in a four year period, from approximately 8,962 units in 2017 to 28,475 units in 2021.
This analysis demonstrates a trend that not withstanding the high volume of extant permissions, less than a quarter of the permissions granted are being realised on the ground. The reasons for this are many, including the complex nature of site development, acquisition, and funding models in the city.
However, it is also clear that the number of sites becoming active has been increasing over the past number of years, demonstrating a generally positive upward trend.
The City Council will continue to support implementation through active land measures including the vacant site levy.
In addition, the Development Plan includes a suite of policies to support the delivery of housing targets including:
- Plan making such as Local Area Plans,
- Active land management,
- Engaging with other sectors and agencies (including the Land Development Agency),
- Proactive use of funding opportunities such as the URDF,
- Monitoring and evaluating measures including an annual Development Plan Core Strategy Monitoring Report.
The City Council, through the Development Plan, is committed to ensuring competitiveness and delivery of housing by promoting compact growth and ensuring the continued consolidation of the city, with sustainable patterns of development and the creation of a dynamic and vibrant city core complemented by well-serviced and integrated neighbourhoods.
Dublin City Planning Officer
