County Development Plan
Proposed Variation No.1 to the County Development Plan 2022-2028
Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No.1 are now on public display from Thursday 28th May 2026 – Friday 26th June 2026
Proposed Variation No.1 to the County Development Plan 2022-2028
In accordance with Section 13 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has prepared a proposed Variation No.1 to the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022 – 2028. This was placed on public display from Thursday 18th December 2025 to Monday 26th January 2026 inclusive.
A Chief Executive’s Report on Submissions / Observations received to Proposed Variation No.1 was submitted to the Elected Members of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for their consideration on Friday 6th March 2026.
Having considered both Proposed Variation No.1 and the Chief Executive’s report, the Elected Members of the Council agreed, by resolution, to make Proposed Variation No.1 with Material Alterations at a Special Council Meeting on April 21st 2026 (see 'Chief Executive's Report on Submissions received to Proposed Variation No.1' under 'Stage 1' below for more detail).
Stage 1: Proposed Variation No.1
Stage 1: Proposed Variation No.1
Reason for Proposed Variation No. 1
This Proposed Variation No.1 has been prepared to respond to the recent changes in National planning policy, namely the publication of the National Planning Framework (NPF) First Revision and the publication of the following Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines:
- NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2025),
- Planning Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2025) and
- Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2024)
The proposed variation is also responding to Pillar 1: Activating Supply as set out in the Government Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness – Delivering Homes, Building Communities, 2025-2030 (November 2025).
The zoning of sufficient land is seen as a key enabler in the delivery of housing.
What is proposed in Variation No.1?
The proposed variation to the County Development Plan is intended to address specific, immediate policy updates that are needed in the short term and proposes changes to:
- A number of sections in the Written Statement including:
- Core Strategy in Chapter 2
- Policy Objectives in Chapters 4, 5 and 8
- Various sections in Chapter 12 - Development Management
- Chapter 13 – Landuse Zoning and
- Chapter 14 – Specific Local Objectives
- Appendices 13, 15 and 16
- Mapping changes setting out:
- Amended Local Area Plan (LAP) boundaries to align with adopted LAP’s for Dundrum, Kiltiernan-Glenamuck and Old Connaught
- Proposed rezonings, the addition of Long-Term Strategic Sites (LTSS) and
- New specific local objectives (SLO’s).
The proposed variation is accompanied by a Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment, a Draft Natura Impact Report (in support of Appropriate Assessment) and an updated Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA).
Public Consultation on Proposed Variation No.1
Proposed Variation No.1 was on public display from Thursday 18th December 2025 to Monday 26th January 2026.
During the public consultation period, there were 2 public information sessions at County Hall and the Dundrum Council Offices.
In total, 765 submissions / observations were received during the consultation period. The Planning Authority would like to thank everyone who made a submission and who took the time to attend one of the public information sessions.
The Planning Authority has now published all submissions / observations received which can be viewed here:
Chief Executive's Report on Submissions received to Proposed Variation No.1
The Chief Executive's (CE) Report on submissions received to the Proposed Variation was prepared and circulated to the Elected Members for their consideration on Friday 6th March 2026.
The CE Report consists of two volumes as follows:
Volume I - Issues Raised and Chief Executive’s Responses and Recommendations
Volume II - Summary and List of Submissions / Observations Received
Special Council Meetings
The Elected Members considered Proposed Variation No. 1 and the report of the Chief Executive at Special Council meetings held on:
On April 21st 2026, the Elected Members agreed, by resolution, to make Proposed Variation No.1 with Material Alterations.
Stage 2: Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No.1
In accordance with Section 13 (6) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No.1 of the County Development Plan 2022-2028 is now on Public Display for a period of not less than 4 weeks from Thursday 28th May 2026 to 26th June 2026 inclusive.
It has been determined that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required for the Proposed Material Alterations, and an Appropriate Assessment (AA) is also required for the Proposed Material Alterations.
What is in the Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No.1?
Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No.1 of the County Development Plan 2022-2028, and its associated Environmental Reports includes the following:
- Proposed Material Alterations No. 1 – No. 51 contained in the Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No.1 document.
- Alterations to Land Use Maps 3, 6, 7, 9 and 14.
- Alterations to Supplementary Map T2 - Parking Zones and Map 2 - Plot Ratios & Residential Densities in Appendix 16: Sandyford Urban Framework Plan.
- Addendum to Appendix 15 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
- SEA and AA Screening Determinations.
- SEA Screening & Strategic Environmental Assessment of Material Alterations.
- AA Screening & Appropriate Assessment of Material Alterations.
All documents are linked above and also can be viewed and/or downloaded from the document list below.
Note: It is recommended that maps are downloaded to view rather than viewing these in your browser.
Public Consultation on Proposed Material Alterations
You are now invited to make written submissions / observation to the Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1.
The Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 (and associated SEA, AA and SFRA documents) will be available to view online (see document list below) and at the following locations, during their normal opening hours, from Thursday 28th May 2026 – Friday 26th June 2026:
- Planning Counter, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire (10.00am- 4.00pm)
- Council Offices, Dundrum Office Park, Dundrum (9.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 4.30pm)
- All branches of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Libraries during Library opening hours.
Making a Submission
Written submissions or observations relating ONLY to Proposed Material Alterations (and associated SEA, AA and SFRA documents) can be made in one of the following ways:
- Write to Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1, Administrative Officer, Planning Section, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire A96 K6C9.
Through the online consultation portal here:
Only written submissions or observations made on the Proposed Material Alterations received before Friday 26th June 2026 at 23:59hr will be taken into consideration before the making of Variation No.1.
Submissions or observations in relation to any other aspect of Proposed Variation No. 1 cannot be considered at this stage in the process.
Next Steps
All written submissions or observations made in respect of Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022-2028 will be taken into account by the Planning Authority before the variation of the development plan is made at a Special Council Meeting later this year.
In preparation for a Special Council Meeting, the Executive will prepare a report and make recommendations to the Elected Members of the Council in relation to issues raised in submissions / observations on the Proposed Material Alterations.
Only submissions or observations made in respect of the Proposed Material Alterations can be taken into consideration.
Stage 2: Proposed Alterations to Proposed Variation No.1 - Documents & Maps
Stage 1: Proposed Variation No.1 - Documents, Maps & Chief Executive's Report
FAQ
Why are there Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No.1?
Following on from the public consultation for Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022-2028, a Chief Executive’s Report (CE report) on Submissions / Observations received was prepared and contained a number of recommendations for the consideration of the Elected Members of the Council.
4no. Special Council Meeting were held in April 2026 where the Elected Members considered:
- Proposed Variation No.1
- Issues raised in submissions / observations received
- The CE Report and its recommendations, and
- Submitted motions with proposed amendments to either the County Development Plan or Proposed Variation No.1.
Having considered the above, the Elected Members agreed, by resolution, to make Proposed Variation No.1 with Material Alterations on April 21st 2026.
The 4no. Special Council Meetings can be viewed using each of the following links:
Where can I view the Proposed Material Alterations?
The Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1 (and associated SEA, AA and SFRA documents) will be available to view online (refer to the ‘Stage 2’ document list on this page) and at the following locations, during their normal opening hours, from Thursday 28th May 2026 – Friday 26th June 2026:
- Planning Counter, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire (10.00am- 4.00pm)
- Council Offices, Dundrum Office Park, Dundrum (9.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 4.30pm)
- All branches of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Libraries during Library opening hours.
How do I make a submission / observation on the Proposed Material Alterations?
Written submissions or observations relating ONLY to Proposed Material Alterations (and associated SEA, AA and SFRA documents) can be made in one of the following ways:
- Write to Proposed Material Alterations to Proposed Variation No. 1, Administrative Officer, Planning Section, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire A96 K6C9.
- Through the online consultation portal here:
All submissions / observation must be received by Friday 26th June 2026 at 23:59hrs.
Any submission / observation received after this date will not be taken into consideration.
What can I comment on now?
Your submission / observation should relate ONLY to the Proposed Material Alterations on Public Display.
Submissions or observations in relation to any other aspect of Proposed Variation No. 1 cannot be considered at this stage in the process.
Can I still view the Proposed Variation No.1 that went on display in December 2025?
Yes. This webpage retains all of the documentation that was on public display December 2025 – January 2026 under the 'Stage 1' heading.
What is a Variation of a County Development Plan?
A Variation is a way to make changes to an existing development plan, such as adding a new policy, altering zoning for a specific area, or updating development objectives to reflect new information.
Variations allow for a more flexible and responsive approach to planning, enabling local authorities to address new challenges or opportunities that were not covered in the original plan.
Why is a Variation proposed to the County Development Plan?
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage instructed Local Authorities across the Country to vary their County/City Development Plans.
Proposed Variation No.1 updates the County Development Plan in response to the Ministers request and recent changes in national planning policy contained in the National Planning Framework (NPF) which sets out housing targets for the county and new ministerial guidelines on apartment design standards and the promotion of sustainable well designed housing growth through the creation of compact settlements.
What are the main changes proposed to the County Development Plan?
The Variation proposes text changes to the written statement of the County Development Plan and certain appendices to reflect recent changes in national planning policy and relevant Section 28 guidelines.
The proposed Variation will update the dlr County Development Plan maps to reflect the correct boundaries of Dundrum Local Area Plan 2023, Kiltiernan – Glenamuck Local Area Plan 2025 and Old Connaught Local Area Plan 2025 which were adopted since the County Development Plan was made.
In addressing the new housing growth requirements, the Variation will propose rezoning of lands in the Sandyford Business District area, in Woodbrook and in Old Connaught.
The proposed Variation also identifies some Long Term Strategic and Sustainable Settlement Sites (LTSS) which may deliver housing (subject to rezoning) in future Development Plan periods. These are located in Rathmichael, Carrickmines, Kiltiernan and lands between Kiltiernan and Stepaside.
New Specific Local Objectives are proposed in association with the proposed rezoning of lands and Long Term Strategic and Sustainable Settlement Sites.
What are Section 28 Guidelines and SPPRs?
Planning authorities must have regard to Section 28 guidelines which are Ministerial guidelines issued under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). They provide guidance on various planning matters, including the design standards for new apartments and housing growth requirements to meet the National Planning Framework (NPF) housing targets.
The proposed Variation will address recent changes in national planning policy (NPF) and specific policy updates (SPPR’s) that are needed in the short term.
Where a ministerial guideline contains a Specific Planning Policy Requirement (SPPR), it is legally binding and must be applied by the planning authorities. The proposed Variation addresses SPPRs from the Planning Design Standards for Apartments and the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlement Guidelines.
How do I find my submission and its response in the Proposed Variation No.1 CE Report?
In order to navigate the Chief Executive’s Report, it is recommended that you first open Volume II to locate your submission number (VA0001-VA0765). This can be done by searching for your name or organisation using ‘Ctrl’ & ‘F’ on your keyboard, or by using the search function in your PDF software.
All submissions are summarised in Volume II and submission numbers are hyperlinked to view the submission in full (including any attachments) as received by the Planning Authority (Note: some details may have been redacted before publishing online).
Issues raised in submissions are summarised and the Chief Executive’s response and recommendations are set out in Volume I under the relevant Chapter heading or map number of Proposed Variation No.1. Where more than one submission / observation raised the same issue, these are grouped together, and all submission numbers are listed along side the summary of the issue, again, each submission number is hyperlinked.
The quickest way to find where your issue is located in Volume I, search using your submission number as listed in Volume II using ‘Ctrl’ & ‘F’ on your keyboard, or by using the search function in your PDF software.
What is a Long Term Strategic and Sustainable Settlement Site (LTSS)?
Long Term Strategic and Sustainable Settlement Sites (LTSS) refer to lands which may be capable of delivering housing in future Development Plan periods.
These lands are not proposed to be rezoned under this variation, rather they may be reviewed and considered for rezoning during a future development plan cycle which will be subject to its own public consultation process.
Lands located in Rathmichael, Carrickmines, Kiltiernan and lands between Kiltiernan and Stepaside have been identified as LTSS’s.
Each of these LTSS’s have specific local objectives (SLO’s) applied identifying criteria that will need to be considered should the lands be considered for rezoning as part of a future County Development Plan. Criteria to be addressed include provision of educational facilities and open space.
Are any new schools proposed in this variation?
The Planning Authority worked with the Department of Education and Youth while preparing the Proposed Variation with regard to future school requirement. Details of future school requirement is set out in Section 4.2 of the Background Paper ‘Settlement Capacity Audit 2025’.
Schools are permitted in principle within multiple land use zonings as set out within Chapter 13 of the County Development Plan 2022-2028, Including within lands proposed to be rezoned as part of this variation:
- Objective A – ‘To provide residential development and improve residential amenity while protecting the existing residential amenities.’
- Objective A1 – ‘To provide for new residential communities and Sustainable Neighbourhood Infrastructure in accordance with approved local area plans.’
- Objective SNI – ‘To protect, improve and encourage the provision of sustainable neighbourhood infrastructure.’
- Objective A2 – ‘To provide for the creation of sustainable residential neighbourhoods and preserve and protect residential amenity.’
Where a specific site has been identified for the provision of a future school, this is identified by including an ‘ED’ symbol (‘Proposed Education Site’) on County Development Plan maps and/or in Local Area Plans. A specific local objective (SLO) might also state that a future school would be provided at a specific location.
It should be noted, however, that an ‘ED’ symbol does not limit the provision of a future school to this location only, new schools can be located within suitable sites across the county as the need arises.
For the long term strategic settlement sites specific local objectives are proposed which set out that any future rezoning must include for the provision of educational facilities as required.
The Planning Authority will continue to work closely with the Department of Education and Youth to ensure the appropriate provision of schools across the county.
Where can I view the proposed Variation to the County Development Plan?
Proposed Variation No.1 documents are available to view upon request at the following locations, during their normal opening hours:
- Planning Counter, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire (10.00am – 4.00pm)
- Council Offices, Dundrum Office Park, Dundrum (9.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 4.30pm)
- All branches of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Libraries during Library opening hours.
- Copies of the proposed variation and its associated maps and environmental reports are available to download and view on this webpage using the document list above.
Will my submission be published for others to see?
Every submission / observation received in relation to Proposed Variation No.1, that was on public display in December 2025 - January 2026, is published online here.
What happens next?
Proposed Variation No. 1 of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022-2028 was placed on public display from Thursday 18th December 2025 to Monday 26th January 2026 inclusive.
A Chief Executive’s Report on Submissions / Observations received to Proposed Variation No. 1 was submitted to the Elected Members of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for their consideration on Friday 6th March 2026.
Having considered both Proposed Variation No.1 and the Chief Executive’s report, the Elected Members of the Council agreed, by resolution, to make Proposed Variation No.1 with Material Alterations at a Special Council Meeting on April 21st 2026.
As Material Alterations have been made to Proposed Variation No.1, there will be a further public consultation period, of not less than 4 weeks, commencing in May 2026.
Following this public consultation on the Proposed Material Alterations, all written submissions or observations made in respect of Proposed Material Alterations will be taken into account by the Planning Authority before the variation of the development plan is made at a Special Council Meeting later this year.
In preparation for a Special Council Meeting, the Executive will prepare a report and make recommendations to the Elected Members of the Council in relation to issues raised in submissions / observations on the Proposed Material Alterations.
Only submissions or observations made in respect of the Proposed Material Alterations can be taken into consideration at this stage.
The Elected Members can make the variation, with or without the Material Alterations. The variation will have immediate effect once it is made.
DISCLAIMER
The list of FAQs does not purport to be a legal interpretation of the Planning and Development Act 2000, (as amended) and are simply for information purposes.
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