Proposed Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028

NOTICE OF PROPOSED VARIATION NO. 2 TO THE SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022-2028 

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (as amended) that South Dublin County Council, proposes a variation to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028.

Reason for the Proposed Variation:

The Proposed Variation is to respond to recent changes in National planning policy, namely the publication of the National Planning Framework First Revision (2025) and the publication of Ministerial Guidelines published under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), including:

• NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements (2025), and
• Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2024). 

In addressing the new housing growth requirements and other changes to National planning policy, the proposed variation proposes changes to the written statement, maps and appendices of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 including, inter alia:

• changes to land use zoning objectives for a number of identified lands to facilitate residential uses;
• the identification of locations to provide for long-term housing needs beyond the lifetime of the current Development Plan;
• additions to and/or changes of policies, objectives and measures to support and facilitate the development and activation of existing residential zoned lands;
• and other related amendments to ensure consistency with updated national planning policy and Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines.

The Proposed Variation is accompanied by:

• A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) screening determination and SEA Environmental Report pursuant to the European Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) and the Planning and Development (Strategic environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 (as amended).
• An Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening determination and Appropriate Assessment Stage 2 Report (Natura Impact Report) – pursuant to Article 6(3) of the European Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC); and
• A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, in accordance with the relevant Section 28 Guidelines
• The Proposed Variation is informed by a Settlement Capacity Audit, 2025 (this is not part of the Proposed Variation but included for information purposes)

Display of the Proposed Variation:

A copy of the Proposed Variation and accompanying documents will be available to view at https://consult.sdublincoco.ie/ from Friday 13th February 2026 to Friday 13th March 2026 (inclusive).

The Proposed Variation can also be viewed at Lucan Library and County Hall, Tallaght during normal opening hours (excluding public holidays).

Public Information Drop-In:

Two public information drop-in sessions will be held during which Council staff will be available to answer questions at:

Making a Submission:

Submissions or observations regarding the Proposed Variation and the accompanying documents are hereby invited from the public and interested bodies. Written submissions or observations may be made between Friday 13th February 2026 to Friday 13th March 2026 (inclusive) in one of the following ways:

1. Through the online consultation portal at https://consult.sdublincoco.ie/en.

   OR

2. By post to: Variation No. 2, Senior Executive Officer, Forward Planning Section, Planning and Transport, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24, D24 A3XC

All valid written submissions or observations with respect to the Proposed Variation No. 2 and accompanying documents, made within the above stated period, shall be taken into consideration by the Council before the making of the Variation.

In respect of making a submission or observation please note the following:

• Children, or groups or associations representing the interests of children, are entitled to make submissions or observations.
• All submissions or observations should include your name and a contact address and, where relevant, details of any organisation, community group or company etc., which you represent.
• Submissions and observations should be made in one medium only i.e. hard copy by post or via the consultation portal.
• Email submissions and late submissions will not be accepted.

Published Submissions

Please note that submissions received shall be available to view (in part or in total) on the Council’s consultation portal in accordance with Section 58 (10) of the Planning and Development Act, 2024 (as amended).

The Chief Executive’s Report on submissions and observations received will include the names of those who made submissions or observations and will be published on SDCC’s website.

Freedom of Information (FOI) and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

South Dublin County Council is subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (2014) and to the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). For more information on Freedom of Information you can consult our website here. South Dublin County Council’s GDPR policy and privacy policy are available on our website here.