About Strategic Development Zones
Strategic Development Zones (SDZ) are high-growth areas that the Council wants to develop in line with strategic national economic and social goals.
Once an area has been designated as a SDZ, new residential and non-residential development can be fast tracked. SDZs are developed under Section 169 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000.
SDZ Planning Schemes
The Council must prepare a planning scheme before new development can be approved. This document provides rules, policies and objectives to guide how the area should be developed in order to protect its character. When complete, the planning scheme is added to the Dublin City Development Plan.
Planning Permission in SDZs
To get planning permission, new developments in SDZs must align with the relevant planning scheme. Proposals that are not consistent with the planning scheme will be refused permission.
Dublin City Council’s decision on planning permission in an SDZ is final. There is no An Bord Pleanála appeals process.
When applying for planning permission, developers must post newspaper and site notices informing the public of the proposed development. They must indicate that the application relates to development in a SDZ.
Members of the public can submit comments and concerns about the proposed development during the public consultation stage, which takes place within five weeks of the date the application is received by Dublin City Council.
Current SDZs
There are three SDZs located within the Dublin City Council area: