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ARTICLE · 14 AUGUST 2026

Horizon Scanner: Energy Planning Infrastructure And Construction August 2026 - Environment And Planning

Arthur Cox
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Ireland's Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2026 introduces significant reforms to judicial review procedures and planning law, while new EU packaging regulations and climate action consultations signal major environmental policy shifts. Key court decisions address wind turbine noise nuisance and water quality obligations under EU directives.

IrelandEnvironment
Arthur Cox
Arthur Cox
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Irish developments

Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2026 signed into law

The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 was signed into law by the President on 20 July 2026. No provisions have been commenced. The Act extends the new judicial review procedures introduced by the Planning and Development Act 2024 to decisions made or acts done under the Planning and Development Act 2000, where the relevant procedure is commenced after the Act’s commencement. Costs rules under the 2000 Act will still apply in respect of these challenges.

The Act will also introduce a series of important changes for planning law. A definition of “material contravention” has been set out in the Act, which has not previously been defined in legislation. The definition varies depending on whether a permission is governed by a development plan made under the 2000 Act or the 2024 Act, but the concept of a “fundamental conflict” with planning strategy is central to both. Another impactful

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