Estuary West Lands at Holybanks, Swords, Co. Dublin. (www.holybanksshdplanning.com)

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• An Bord Pleanála appeal, now An Coimisiún Pleanála — four weeks, €220, and a 25% reversal rateThe Commission reversed the council in 25% of the 1,195 Dublin-area appeals decided in the two years to September 2026. Who can appeal, the four weeks, the €220 fee, why 240 appeals a year fail on procedure, and the odds by direction.
• Appeals overturned by council — how often An Coimisiún Pleanála reverses each Dublin council, and in which directionThe Commission reversed the council on 301 of 1,195 Dublin appeals decided in 24 months, 25%. South Dublin was reversed most (30%), Dublin City least (23%), and 76 of Fingal's 85 reversals turned a refusal into a grant. How the appeal works, what a reversal rate means, and how to read your council's number before you appeal.
• Judicial review of a planning decision in Ireland — eight weeks, substantial grounds, and who may bring oneThe Commission decided 510 appeals from the seven Dublin-area councils in the 12 months to September 2026, and each opened an eight-week judicial review window. What s.50 allows, what it costs, what the court can and cannot do, and how the 2024 Act changes standing.
• Crèche and childcare planning applications in Dublin — half arrive inside housing schemes369 applications mentioning a crèche, childcare facility, Montessori or pre-school reached the Greater Dublin registers in 36 months, 234 granted and 34 refused. 196 of them are a crèche inside a housing scheme, required by the 2001 childcare guidelines at one facility of about 20 places per 75 homes; 173 are standalone, and 52 of those are a change of use of a shop, house or office. Where they are granted, why the standalone ones are refused, and every recent file linked.