NOTICE OF PROPOSED VARIATION NO. 3 TO FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023 - 2029
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (as amended), that Fingal County Council proposes a variation to the Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029.
The variation proposes to remove 2 no. Map Based Objectives from the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029 which relate to future development on lands within a radius of 250 meters and 500 meters of Dunsink Observatory.
Reason for the Proposed Variation No. 3:
A draft Urban Area Plan for Dunsink was published for public consultation on Friday 19th June 2026. The proposed variation serves to consolidate the policy framework applicable to the area by removing the 2 no. objectives from the Development Plan and including in the Urban Area Plan comprehensive provisions in respect of development in the vicinity of Dunsink Observatory, including in respect of lighting, landscape and design considerations.
The Proposed Variation is accompanied by:
An Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening pursuant to the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)and Part 6 of the Planning & Development Act 2024 (as amended);
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening pursuant to Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament, the European Union (Land Use Planning – Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2025 and the Planning & Development Act 2024 (as amended).
Public Display:
A copy of the proposed Variation No. 3 to the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, the screening determinations in respect of Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate assessment and the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Screening Reports may be inspected fromFriday 17th July 2026 to Friday 14th August 2026 (both dates inclusive) during normal opening hours (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm) at:
Fingal County Council Offices at County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Co. Dublin,
Fingal County Council Civic Offices, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
And at Fingal Branch Libraries during normal opening hours for each library.
In complying with SEA Directive (2001/42/EC), the European Union (Land Use Planning – Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2025 and the Planning & Development Act 2024 (as amended), Fingal County Council has carried out Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening and determined that SEA is not required.
A copy of the SEA Determination and Screening Report is available for public inspection with the proposed Variation.
Appropriate Assessment (AA):
Fingal County Council has carried out a Screening for Appropriate Assessment pursuant to Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and the Planning & Development Act 2024 (as amended) and has determined that AA is not required as there is no possibility that the implementation of the Variation could result in any likely significant effects on European sites either individually or in combination with any project or other plan.
A copy of the AA Determination and Screening Report for Appropriate Assessment is available for public inspection with the proposed Variation.
Making a submission:
Written submissions or observations with respect to this proposed Variation can be made in writing no later than 5.00pm on Friday 14th August 2026. Submissions should be in ONE medium only i.e. in hard copy or online. Submissions cannot be accepted by email.
Submissions should include the full name and address of the person making the submission, details of organisation, community group or company represented where relevant.
Submissions
Submissions should be clearly marked – Proposed Variation No. 3 Fingal County Development Plan 2023 - 2029.
Submissions or observations can be made as follows:
By post to: Senior Executive Officer, Planning and Development Department, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main St., Swords, Co. Dublin, K67X8Y2.
LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Any written submissions or observations made to the Planning Authority fromFriday 17th July 2026 to 5pm on Friday 14th August 2026 in respect of the proposed Variation will be taken into consideration before the making of the Variation.
Written submissions or observations received by the Planning Authority in relation to the proposed Variation may be published on the website of the Planning Authority.
The details including the names of those making submissions may be shared with relevant Council Departments or their agents involved in the making of the Variation and may form part of reports linked to the making of the Variation.
The Chief Executive’s Report on submissions and observations received will include the names of those who made submissions or observations and will be included in the minutes of that meeting and subsequently published on Fingal County Council’s website.
Proposed Variation No. 3 to Fingal Development Plan 2023 - 2029
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FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023 - 2029
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2024 (AS AMENDED)
NOTICE OF PROPOSED VARIATION NO. 3 TO FINGAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023 - 2029
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (as amended), that Fingal County Council proposes a variation to the Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029.
The variation proposes to remove 2 no. Map Based Objectives from the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029 which relate to future development on lands within a radius of 250 meters and 500 meters of Dunsink Observatory.
Reason for the Proposed Variation No. 3:
A draft Urban Area Plan for Dunsink was published for public consultation on Friday 19th June 2026. The proposed variation serves to consolidate the policy framework applicable to the area by removing the 2 no. objectives from the Development Plan and including in the Urban Area Plan comprehensive provisions in respect of development in the vicinity of Dunsink Observatory, including in respect of lighting, landscape and design considerations.
The Proposed Variation is accompanied by:
Public Display:
A copy of the proposed Variation No. 3 to the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029, the screening determinations in respect of Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate assessment and the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Screening Reports may be inspected from Friday 17th July 2026 to Friday 14th August 2026 (both dates inclusive) during normal opening hours (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm) at:
And at Fingal Branch Libraries during normal opening hours for each library.
See www.fingal.ie for local library opening hours.
The documents may also be viewed on Fingal County Council’s website at https://consult.fingal.ie/en/browse
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA):
In complying with SEA Directive (2001/42/EC), the European Union (Land Use Planning – Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2025 and the Planning & Development Act 2024 (as amended), Fingal County Council has carried out Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening and determined that SEA is not required.
A copy of the SEA Determination and Screening Report is available for public inspection with the proposed Variation.
Appropriate Assessment (AA):
Fingal County Council has carried out a Screening for Appropriate Assessment pursuant to Article 6 of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and the Planning & Development Act 2024 (as amended) and has determined that AA is not required as there is no possibility that the implementation of the Variation could result in any likely significant effects on European sites either individually or in combination with any project or other plan.
A copy of the AA Determination and Screening Report for Appropriate Assessment is available for public inspection with the proposed Variation.
Making a submission:
Written submissions or observations with respect to this proposed Variation can be made in writing no later than 5.00pm on Friday 14th August 2026. Submissions should be in ONE medium only i.e. in hard copy or online. Submissions cannot be accepted by email.
Submissions should include the full name and address of the person making the submission, details of organisation, community group or company represented where relevant.
Submissions
Submissions should be clearly marked – Proposed Variation No. 3 Fingal County Development Plan 2023 - 2029.
Submissions or observations can be made as follows:
LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Any written submissions or observations made to the Planning Authority from Friday 17th July 2026 to 5pm on Friday 14th August 2026 in respect of the proposed Variation will be taken into consideration before the making of the Variation.
Written submissions or observations received by the Planning Authority in relation to the proposed Variation may be published on the website of the Planning Authority.
The details including the names of those making submissions may be shared with relevant Council Departments or their agents involved in the making of the Variation and may form part of reports linked to the making of the Variation.
The Chief Executive’s Report on submissions and observations received will include the names of those who made submissions or observations and will be included in the minutes of that meeting and subsequently published on Fingal County Council’s website.
Senior Executive Officer
Dated: 17th July 2026
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