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Strategic Infrastructure Development Guide

Strategic infrastructure development covers a wide range of developments. However, it can generally be described as development which is of strategic economic or social importance to Ireland, the region or local areas.

What is Strategic Infrastructure Development?

Strategic infrastructure development covers a wide range of developments. However, it can generally be described as development which is of strategic economic or social importance to Ireland, the region or local areas.

Strategic Infrastructure Development also includes development which would:

  • contribute significantly to meeting any of the objectives of the National Planning Framework, or
  • contribute significantly to meeting any regional spatial and economic strategy for an area, or
  • have a significant effect on the area of more than one planning authority.


Since 2007, planning applications for proposed strategic infrastructure development are not submitted to the local planning authority but instead they are submitted to An Bord Pleanála for a decision. There are no appeals on An Bord Pleanála’s decision.