IPI Planners Podcast

• IPI 50 Years Celebrations - Planning Institute Anniversary

  December 2025 marks end of year celebrating Irish Planning Institute's 50th anniversary since founding in 1975 whilst also seeing the conclusion of the current Council term with a range of governance changes including the election of a reshaped Board of Directors.Gavin Lawlor, completing two year term as IPI President and Director at Tom Phillips Associates with extensive experience in development plans, quarrying, wind farms and Bord Pleanála oral hearings, alongside Philip Jones, past IPI President serving 26 and a quarter years on Council including seven Presidents as Honorary Secretary with 41 year public sector career from Waterford City Council through Kildare County Council to Bord Pleanála senior planning inspector, assistant director and board member, explain why the housing crisis narrative unfairly scapegoats planners whilst media seeks opposing views rather than balanced explanations.  They also discuss how the 2024 Planning and Development Act 2024 requires practical stress testing with practitioners – the planners who have to implement the new legislation, and who are represented by the IPI - before Regulations commence, thereby avoiding history repeating itself with amendments before proper enactment.  Internally within the Institute, they outline how governance changes, modernising its original 1982 structure, has represented a Herculean task.  They also discuss some significant resourcing achievements during the last two years, including securing planners on the Government’s critical skills list and successfully removing a 2011 Departmental circular that required experienced planners to start at the bottom of local authority salary grades.With expertise spanning development control, climate change adaptation, flood plains zoning restrictions and relationship maturation between IPI and RTPI establishing proper respect for Irish planners' capabilities, the discussion covers the Grafton Street pedestrianisation campaign against major stores and roads department opposition, the Flood Tribunal era demonstrating that no planners were identified for corruption, unlike councillors and senior administrators, and why climate change represents the single biggest challenge beyond housing. QUOTES“It's down to housing, housing and more housing and everything that facilitates or interferes with the ability to be able to deliver housing”. - Gavin Lawlor“Planning is social, there's a bit of geography in it and everybody has an opinion about where they live. Everybody has a pair of eyes and a pair of ears and a very large mouth that they can use to express their views and they're entitled to do so.” - Gavin Lawlor“We don't have a vested interest as planners, we just want the planning system to work for our citizens rather than for certain stakeholders who have vested interests and are currently knocking on the doors of Government.”- Philip Jones“People coming onto the Board of the IPI will be able to give something back – after all it is a profession - and they should support their own profession, and contribute their views and perspectives, whatever they may be, to the future development of the Institute”. - Philip Jones“The biggest challenge out there isn’t housing, it isn’t resourcing, it’s climate change, and planners have a huge role to play in that.  Planning can really make a difference. Into the future” - Philip JonesAbout the GuestsPhilip Jones FIPI studied Geography at TCD at Bachelor’s level, before going on to the Masters in Regional and Urban Planning in UCD.  Across his career, he worked in local government for 19 years and in An Bord Pleanála for 21 years.  A Corporate Member since 1983, and a Fellow since 2008, he joined the Council of the Irish Planning Institute in 1986, serving as a co-opted member until 1989, after which he was elected on many occasions.  He has served as Hon. Secretary to no less than seven IPI Presidents, and was himself elected President for a two-year term from 1999 to 2001.  Most recently he is serving as Hon. Secretary from January 2024 to December 2025.Gavin Lawlor MIPI is President of the Irish Planning Institute 2024-2025. Gavin has worked in planning for almost 30 years and is a Director at Tom Phillips + Associates. Gavin's expertise covers a wide range of areas and he has extensive knowledge across the industrial, energy and waste management sectors. He obtained a Masters in Regional and Urban Planning from UCD having graduated with a Bachelors degree in Social Science at the Belfield Campus.Connect with the Irish Planning Institute:Website: ipi.iePodfollow: podfollow.com/ipiSearch podcast player: "IPI Planners Podcast"PODCAST HOST DETAILSDr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast." Professionals and enthusiasts alike seek to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTEThe Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.Find out more:https://ipi.ie/The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.ioKEYWORDS#IrishPlanningInstitute #PlanningProfession #HousingCrisis #ClimateChangePlanning #GovernanceReform

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• Scaling Up Housing Delivery in Kildare

  Kildare County Council manages nearly 50 settlements whilst doing some of Ireland's "heavy lifting" on housing delivery—but how do you scale that up when planning legislation transforms around you? Amy Granville, Senior Planner leading forward planning and heritage, reveals how a 100-person team including Kildare County Council’s first ecologist and urban designer, tackles revised NPF targets through 290-hectare master plans, joint local area plans with neighbouring counties, and heritage-led regeneration. From navigating the Planning and Development Act 2024's transition to winning IPI Planning Authority of the Year, discover what makes Kildare "best in class" and why planners are quietly working across every corner of housing development and infrastructure delivery.THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTHow Kildare County Council expanded from traditional planning roles to 100-person team Why the revised NPF targets require creative measures including a 290-hectare master plan area in NaasHow the joint Maynooth and Environs Local Area Plan with Meath County Council navigated two different planning teams and Council Chambers.Why the Planning and Development Act 2024's 10-year development plan horizon provides genuine opportunity for deliveryHow Kildare's graduate planner programme captures local talent GUEST DETAILSAmy Granville is Senior Planner at Kildare County Council, leading forward planning and heritage for a county with nearly 50 settlements. A proud 2005 graduate from DIT's (now TU Dublin) first undergraduate spatial planning and environmental management class, Amy always knew she wanted public service—beginning in Kilkenny County Council before moving to South Tipperary where she experienced the 2014 local authority merger. Joining Kildare in 2016, Amy has been one of the planners overseeing the county's "best in class" housing delivery whilst balancing rural character with metropolitan pressures. Under her leadership, Kildare's planning team won Irish Planning Institute's Planning Authority of the Year 2025, was shortlisted in four categories, and delivered transformative projects from the Potato Market regeneration to 50-acre carbon sinks. Despite living in Kilkenny, Amy considers herself a "de facto Lily White" after nearly a decade shaping one of Ireland's most complex and dynamic counties. QUOTESI think the master planning approach will be really, really, really significant over the next number of years. - Amy Granville Kildare has done an awful lot of the heavy lifting in terms of housing delivery. We like to say we're best in class in terms of housing completions. - Amy GranvilleWhat works well in Irish planning is the planners. We're such an intrinsic part of so many things now  - Amy GranvillePODCAST HOST DETAILSDr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast." Professionals and enthusiasts alike seek to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTEThe Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.Find out more:https://ipi.ie/The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.ioKEYWORDS#localauthorityplanning #masterplanning #urbanevelopmentzones #graduateplanners #irishplanninginstitute

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• Planning and Ireland’s 2030 Renewable Targets

  Are you frustrated by delays in crucial climate action and infrastructure delivery? Planning and other consenting processes don't always align and run up against our urgent net-zero targets, leaving developers, communities, and environmentalists at loggerheads over how to balance environmental protection with climate emergency responses in ways that often come to a head in the planning system. Imagine a streamlined consenting system where environmental protection and renewable energy development work hand in hand from day one. Picture projects that move efficiently through planning while actually enhancing biodiversity, creating win-win outcomes that accelerate Ireland's clean energy transition without compromising the natural environment you want to protect. Pamela Harty from MKO, one of Ireland's leading planning and environmental consultancy with over 220 specialists across Galway and Dublin offices, has the insider knowledge on navigating these complex challenges. Her team works directly with the intersection of ecology, planning law, and renewable development, giving her unique insights into recent legislative changes like the Planning and Development Act 2024 and the resource challenges facing statutory bodies like NPWS that directly impact your projects.THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTIreland's renewable and housing targets clash Early ecologist integration prevents project delays Speed vs. robust environmental assessment balance Planning Development Act 2024 impacts Housing project challenges and opportunities Developing junior planners at MKOGUEST DETAILSPamela Harty is a Project Director with over 14 years of experience in both private practice and local authorities. Pamela leads the Housing and Public Infrastructure team within MKO. A chartered member of both the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Pamela has project managed a range of strategy and development projects across Ireland and the UK. Pamela has extensive experience in strategic planning, regeneration, residential development, statutory plan preparation, environmental impact assessment, community engagement, urban design and masterplanning. Within MKO, Pamela plays a prominent role in the management and confidence building of junior staff members.QUOTESNature doesn’t recognize boundaries. Think beyond your red line. – Pamela HartyGet ecologists involved early. Shape design from day one . – Pamela HartyA planner’s main skill? Being a good communicator. – Pamela HartyPlanning and Development Act 2024: 25+ years’ biggest overhaul, streamlines planning with mandatory decision times for consenting bodies. – Pamela HardyOne of the key challenges is keeping environmental assessments meaningful rather than just a tick box exercise at the end of the process. – Pamela HartyPODCAST HOST DETAILSDr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast." Professionals and enthusiasts alike seeking to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTEThe Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.KEYWORDS#Renewable Energy Targets #Housing Delivery #Environmental Assessments #Planning and Development Act 2024 #Planning Resource Challenges

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• Permission & Progress: John Spain on Irish Planning

  In this episode, planning consultant John Spain reflects on over three decades shaping Ireland’s built environment — from the stagnation of the 1980s to the high-speed growth of the Celtic Tiger, and today’s complex challenges around housing, infrastructure, and viability.Host Seán O’Leary talks with Spain about founding his own practice, navigating major legislative shifts, and why timelines, trust, and viability are now the critical levers in planning. They explore the impact of judicial reviews, investor confidence, and the need for smarter transition policies. Spain also offers grounded advice for those entering the profession today — and a candid view on what it will take to actually meet Ireland’s housing targets.Whether you’re in public or private practice, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants a clear-eyed view of planning in Ireland: where it’s been, and where it needs to go.THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT·       What viability really means in a planning context – and why it matters·       How delays and uncertainty scare off investment ·       Why housing permissions aren’t translating into homes ·       The quiet infrastructure issues no one’s fixing ·       What it takes to build — and sustain — a planning practice·       Planning through legislative change and goalpost shifts GUEST DETAILSJohn Spain is the founder of JSA and now holds the role of Consultant at JSA having held the position of Managing Director until March 2025.John has over thirty years of experience in planning and development in Ireland and the UK. In that time he has represented a large number of private and public sector clients and has been involved in a wide range of diverse projects. Prior to establishing JSA, John was Associate Director of Hillier Parker, a leading UK firm of chartered surveyors and planning consultants. John has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies from Trinity College Dublin and a Master’s Degree in Regional and Urban Planning from University College Dublin.John is a past president and Fellow of the Irish Planning Institute and a current Council Member of Property Industry Ireland. He is also a Member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute. John is also a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.  QUOTESViability is a critical issue. And if planners want to achieve their objectives — which is to meet their housing needs — you have to consider viability. – John SpainTimelines are everything. Investors can deal with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ — but what they can’t deal with is not knowing when. – John SpainAt the peak, we had 82,000 housing units applied for. Now we’re down to 46,000 — and we need to double that just to meet our targets – John SpainPolicy change is necessary, but you can’t keep moving the goalposts mid-game. That’s when confidence breaks down – John SpainWe don’t have a delivery mechanism for the small stuff — the road, the pipe, the access — and that’s what’s stalling entire developments – John Spain  PODCAST HOST DETAILSDr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast." His insights are invaluable for professionals and enthusiasts alike seeking to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. Through his work with the IPI and his engaging contributions to the podcast, he helps to demystify planning concepts, explore current challenges, and highlight innovative solutions. His authoritative presence significantly enhances the podcast's value, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the future of planning in Ireland.Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTEThe Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.As the publisher of "The Planners' Podcast," the Irish Planning Institute demonstrates its commitment to fostering informed discussion and professional development. The IPI actively works to raise planning standards, articulate expert opinion, contribute to planning education, and promote environmental awareness. By providing a platform for leading voices like Dr. Sean O'Leary MIPI, the IPI ensures that its podcast remains a leading resource for insights into Irish planning policy, challenges, and future directions.Find out more:https://ipi.ie/The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io

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• Homes Not Hype. The Planners Challenge

  What is really at the heart of Ireland’s housing crisis? Dr Lorcan Sirr joins the Planners Podcast to challenge myths, question quick fixes, and explain why planning is more than just regulations, it’s about building quality communities that work for everyone. From the pitfalls of modular homes to the realities of apartment living, Lorcan pulls no punches as he unpacks the policies, politics, and practicalities shaping Ireland’s homes today. THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTWhy tearing up the planning rulebook won’t fix Ireland’s housing crisis but what mightThe real story behind modular homes—are they a solution or just a sign we’re out of ideas?Are Irish people truly allergic to apartment living? Lorcan busts some long-standing housing mythsWho wins with build-to-rent—and who gets left behind?Is Dublin really broken? What’s gone wrong, what’s gotten better, and what no one wants to talk about GUEST DETAILSLorcan Sirr is an academic with over 20 years’ teaching and research experience. As a senior lecturer his areas of expertise include housing, planning and development, research methods and policy evaluation and he is also Visiting Professor of Housing in the Faculty of Law in the Universitat Rovira I Virgilii, Tarragona, Spain and at the University of Galway. Lorcan was previously the Head of the Futures Academy and Faculty Head of Research. Lorcan has taught students from certificate to PhD level and has supervised over 50 MSc theses and several PhDs. His lectures, workshops and projects are contemporaneous in nature, dealing with relevant real-world issues in property, housing, planning and research. Lorcan is a board member of the Irish Refugee Council and Fire Station Artists’ Studios. He is also a former Sunday Times columnist and still writes for many publications, including The Irish Times and Irish Independent, as well as being author of various books on housing.https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorcansirr/ QUOTESIf you want some degree of quality in your housing, then planning is central to the delivery of housing…- Dr Lorcan SirrYou could deliver housing all day long with no planning system at all… but would you want to live in it? - Dr Lorcan SirrSo, at a higher level, I think ideas like this are, you know, simplistic nonsense in a way. What’s worrying is the political acceptance and how much traction that story got. - - Dr Lorcan SirrMy first house that I ever bought was an apartment, and I’ve lived in apartments all over Europe. There’s no problem, in theory, with living in apartments. But we’ve shot ourselves in the foot in a couple of ways. - Dr Lorcan SirrThe only people who know how much it costs to build an apartment are the people who are building apartments—and they’re not going to tell you. - Dr Lorcan SirrThe idea that we would allow people to build anything they want in the back gardens as homes is kind of nonsense… To provide services, you need to know who’s living where. - Dr Lorcan SirrPODCAST HOST DETAILSDr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast." His insights are invaluable for professionals and enthusiasts alike seeking to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession. Through his work with the IPI and his engaging contributions to the podcast, he helps to demystify planning concepts, explore current challenges, and highlight innovative solutions. His authoritative presence significantly enhances the podcast's value, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in the future of planning in Ireland.Find out more: https://ipi.ie/ ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTEThe Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.As the publisher of "The Planners' Podcast," the Irish Planning Institute demonstrates its commitment to fostering informed discussion and professional development. The IPI actively works to raise planning standards, articulate expert opinion, contribute to planning education, and promote environmental awareness. By providing a platform for leading voices like Dr. Sean O'Leary MIPI, the IPI ensures that its podcast remains a leading resource for insights into Irish planning policy, challenges, and future directions.Find out more:https://ipi.ie/The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io KEYWORDS#HousingCrisis #UrbanPlanning #IrishHousing #BuildToRent #PlanningMatters #ModularHomes

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