Wicklow County Council (WCC) is preparing a Variation to the Wicklow County Development Plan (CDP) 2022-2028, in accordance with Section 58 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 (as amended)(‘the Act’), which will consider zoning of lands for additional residential development in settlements in the County.
Background
The Proposed Variation will take account the ‘NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements’ Guidelines for Planning Authorities (July 2025), which provide for an increased annual housing growth requirement for Wicklow County Council and an ‘additional provision’ mechanism to support the zoning of additional lands in areas where it can be justified.
In response to these guidelines, WCC undertook a non-statutory ‘Call for Sites’ consultation for suggestions of lands that could be considered for future land use zoning for housing development. The consultation closed on 27 February 2026. Over 200 submissions were received.
Further detail on the Call for Sites process can be found on the dedicated webpage linked below.
Current Stage
The assessment of the Call for Sites submissions is on-going. The final list of sites proposed for potential residential zoning will not be confirmed until the Proposed Variation is published (anticipated to be September 2026).
Screening for Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) has been undertaken based on the Emerging Proposed Variation as of the end of June 2026. It has been determined that AA and SEA will both be required. Copies of the screening determinations are available below.
Next Steps
WCC is continuing its assessment of the Call for Sites submissions. It is anticipated that Proposed Variation No. 7 to the CDP will be published in September 2026. It will be subject to the normal advertisement and public consultation process (as set out in the Act), and ultimately the making of any Variation is a reserved function (would require to be made by the elected members of WCC).
The Proposed Variation will be accompanied by:
- Natura Impact Report (in support of the Appropriate Assessment)
- SEA Environmental Report
- Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
Should you have any queries please contact callforsites@wicklowcoco.ie or contact the Planning Department on 0404 20148