Draft National Planning Statement on Planning Design Standards for Apartments, 2026

James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and John Cummins TD, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning have published a draft National Planning Statement on Planning Design Standards for Apartments, 2026. On a precautionary basis and in accordance with Article 6 of Directive 2001/42/EC (the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive) and the European Union (Land Use Planning – Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2025, the draft National Planning Statement is accompanied by a SEA Environmental Report and Non-Technical Summary. A public consultation is now being carried out under Section 26 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 and in accordance with Regulation 9 of the European Union (Land Use Planning – Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2025.

The draft National Planning Statement sets out policy, measures and guidance in relation to the design of apartment developments to take account of current Government policy and economic, social and environmental considerations. The aim of the draft National Planning Statement is to set out national policy and standards for apartment development in relation to matters including:

• Apartment mix;
• Internal space standards for different types of apartments;
• Dual aspect ratios;
• Floor to ceiling heights;
• Apartments to stair/lift core ratios;
• Storage spaces; and
• Amenity spaces including balconies/patios.

The National Planning Statement is being prepared for the approval of the Government under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act 2024, to replace the Design Standards for Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, issued in 2025, as Ministerial Guidelines under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000

Submissions or observations in relation to the draft National Planning Statement and the associated precautionary SEA Environmental Report and Non-Technical Summary can be made either via by email to nrupconsultation@housing.gov.ie or by post to:

Planning Design Standards for Apartments National Planning Statement, 2026.

National Strategic Planning
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Custom House
Dublin 1
D01 W6X0.

The final date and time for responses in respect of this consultation is 5:30pm on 7 July 2026.

Please note that submissions received may be made available on the Government’s website. See the consultation Privacy Statement under the Documents link for further information.

The Department is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations, and Data Protection legislation. Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in submissions. A Privacy Statement in relation to this consultation is available to view at www.gov.ie/PDSANPS and at the headquarters of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Custom House, Dublin 1.

Responses received will inform the finalisation of the draft National Planning Statement and associated SEA Environmental Report for Government approval under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act 2024. Please note that submissions received may be made available on the Government’s website. See the consultation Privacy Statement under the Documents link for further information.

Responses received will inform the finalisation of the draft National Planning Statement and associated SEA Environmental Report for Government approval under Section 25 of the Planning and Development Act 2024. Please note that submissions received may be made available on the Government’s website. See the consultation Privacy Statement under the Documents link for further information.

• Draft Planning Design Standards for Apartments National Planning Statement, 2026
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report.
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report – Non-Technical Summary
• Strategic Environmental Assessment Determination under Section 26(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2024
• Screening for Appropriate Assessment (AA) Determination under Section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2024
• Stage 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment: Flood Risk Identification
• Privacy Statement