Large-scale Residential Development(LRD)
The planning route (since late 2021) for larger housing schemes: the application is decided by the local authority, with appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Introduced by the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021, LRD applies to developments of 100 or more houses, 200 or more student bed spaces, or qualifying mixed schemes. There is mandatory pre-application consultation with the local authority, the local authority makes the decision, and third parties can appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála — restoring the appeal stage that SHD had removed.
LRDs are the big residential pipelines — apartment blocks, housing estates and student accommodation. For suppliers and subcontractors these are the largest and longest-running residential jobs in the market.
LRD schemes surface in PlanningLeads as apartment / multi-unit and housing-development leads, usually with large unit counts you can filter on.
See it in live data
Common questions
Broadly 100+ houses or 200+ student bed spaces (plus qualifying mixed-use schemes).
Under LRD the local authority decides the application and third parties can appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála; SHD removed both of those steps.
It commenced in December 2021, replacing the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process.
This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Planning rules carry conditions and exceptions — always verify a specific case against the official source or a planning professional before acting.