Latest news with #PlanningandDevelopmentAct2024
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Kerry town in danger of losing its character – ‘There has been some questionable things around'
Kerryman Killarney town centre is in danger of losing its character unless rules are introduced to govern the appearance of shopfronts, the Mayor has claimed. Mayor Martin Grady has called on Kerry County Council to formulate a policy to ensure conformity in the appearance of shopfronts in the Killarney area. The Mayor, speaking at last Friday's Municipal District meeting, said planning permission is not required to make alterations to a shopfront. This is unless a 'change the use' is desired at the premises. 'So in other words, somebody can come along, apply for change of use, and in five months' time they can look around and do what they want to the shopfront,' Mayor Grady said. 'I think it's very wrong.' 'There is many exemptions. Somebody said there is not enough restrictions. 'People can hardly hang a flower basket outside of their houses in the countryside or inside in town. 'Yet, we have the town centre and you can have a neon light, paint the shop front whichever colour you wish, you can have all sorts of paraphernalia inside the window for sale. I think it's wrong. 'Look, I just feel we are going to lose our character in the town on this. So look if the council ourselves can do something on this, if not write a letter to the Minister to make a change.' Independent councillor Maura Healy-Rae seconded the Mayor's proposal. 'There has been some questionable things around the town,' Cllr Healy-Rae said. ADVERTISEMENT The council's response to the Mayor's proposal stated that it has published detailed 'Shopfront Design Guidelines'. These guidelines include advice and guidance in respect of materials and colours to be used, signage, lighting, advertising and the relationship between a shopfront and adjacent structures. The guidelines can be inspected on the Kerry County council website. A council official indicated to Mayor Grady that the guidelines outlined currently do not have to be adhered to by law. The official said the appearance of shopfronts is being looked at nationally through new planning regulations and acts. He suggested the council will have 'more leverage' to take action on the appearance of frontages under new laws. The Planning and Development Act 2024 states that a planning authority may, in some cases, prepare a draft scheme setting out objectives for streetscape developments including the co-ordination and upgrading of shop frontages.
The Journal
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Paul Reid will receive €50k salary as head of new planning authority
FORMER HSE CHIEF Paul Reid will receive a salary of €50,000 in his new role as chairperson of An Coimisiún Pleanála, a new planning authority that will replace An Bord Pleanála. His appointment was approved by Cabinet this afternoon after Housing Minister James Browne brought a memo for information to establish the new body. Reid served as the Director General of the HSE from 2019 to 2022. He was chief executive of Fingal County Council from 2014 to 2019, and is a member of the board of Uisce Éireann. He also chaired the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs in 2023. An Coimisiún Pleanála is being established in line with the phased commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which was approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas in October last year . The Act essentially allows for the restructuring of An Bord Pleanála. The reformed and renamed commission will have a new governing board and will be subject to statutory mandatory timelines to give confidence and certainty to applicants. Advertisement Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, the Housing Minister said the commission 'is probably the single most important agency we have in this State'. 'It decides not only housing and how quickly that can be delivered, but also our transport, our education and our hospitals,' he said. Asked how he came to appoint Reid as its new chairperson, Browne said he looked at the State agencies, particularly those under his own remit, and sought people who were on the boards 'who would fit that bill'. 'I identified Paul Reid as somebody having that governance experience, that management experience, because this is going to be a real hands-on role.' Browne confirmed that Reid would receive a salary of €50,000 per year as chairperson. He said he would 'have to check' whether he will also be entitled to allowances, but said 'I'm not aware that there is any'. 'Mr Reid will be expected to be very hands on on an almost daily basis, engaging with the CEO to ensure that this change of management happens as well with this huge body,' he said. In January of last year, Paul Mullan was appointed head of An Bord Pleanála for a term of seven years. It was expected that he would assume the role as head of An Coimisiún Pleanála. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Former HSE chief Paul Reid to be appointed head of new planning authority
FORMER HEAD OF the HSE Paul Reid is expected to be named as the chairperson of An Coimisiún Pleanála, a new planning authority that will replace An Bord Pleanála. It is expected Housing Minister James Browne will bring a memo for information to cabinet to establish the new body. Advertisement Reid served as the Director General of the HSE from 2019 to 2022. He was chief executive of Final County Council from 2014 to 2019, and is a member of the board of Uisce Éireann. The body is being established in line with the phased commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, which was approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas in October last year . The Act essentially allows for the restructuring of An Bord Pleanála. The Act followed a review by the Office of the Planning Regulator in 2022 that found that the current planning body was in need of serious reform. Public confidence in An Bord Pleanála has been considerably diminished by a number of controversies and governance issues. The reformed and renamed body will have a new governing board, including a new chairperson, and will be subject to statutory mandatory timelines to give confidence and certainty to applicants. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Former HSE boss Paul Reid to be named Planning Authority chair
Former HSE CEO Paul Reid is set to be appointed as the new chairperson of the Government's reformed planning authority, An Comisiún Pleanála. It is understood that housing minister James Browne will bring Mr Reid's name to Cabinet on Tuesday for appointment. Mr Reid, who previously led the HSE and chaired the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use, will take over at An Comisiún Pleanála, which was formally legislated for as part of the mammoth Planning and Development Act 2024. The establishment of An Comisiún Pleanála has been long anticipated, with the previous Government's mammoth Planning and Development Act providing the legislative basis for the new body. The establishment of An Comisiún Pleanála has been long anticipated, with the previous Government's mammoth Planning and Development Act providing the legislative basis for the new body. This will replace the previous board structure of An Bord Pleanála. A new system of mandatory, statutory timelines for planning decisions will be introduced. This means An Comisiún Pleanála will be required to make decisions and adjudicate appeals within 18 to 48 weeks.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former HSE Chief Paul Reid to be named head of reformed planning body
Former HSE Chief Paul Reid will be named as the new chairperson of the reformed planning body following Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. It is understood that Mr Reid is expected to be named as the chairperson of the newly overhauled An Coimisiún Pleanála, which will replace An Bord Pleanála. The plans will be brought to Cabinet by Housing Minister James Browne on Tuesday. It is expected that Minister Browne will bring a memo for information to Cabinet to establish the new body. The body is being established in line with the phased commencement of the mammoth Planning and Development Act 2024. There will be a restructured organisation and a new governing board, including a new chairperson The planning commission will be subject to statutory mandatory timelines to give confidence and certainty to applicants and the governing board will appoint the chief planning commissioner Sources suggested that Mr Browne envisages a 'radical shift in speed of decision making, with far greater certainty of timelines when it comes to the new body'. Last month, he expressed frustration with the planning system. He also suggested that judicial reviews were being 'weaponised'. Mr Reid was Chief Executive of the HSE from 2019 to 2022, including during the COVID-19 crisis. He was appointed as Chief Executive of Fingal County Council in 2014 following a three year stint in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as chief operating officer. He was also appointed as the Chairperson of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs.
