The Planning Authority has issued Planning Circular 2/26, outlining updated guidance on a number of procedural and policy matters related to development management. The circular forms part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to improve clarity, consistency and best practice within the planning process.

Planning Circulars are issued regularly to keep applicants, periti and stakeholders informed of procedural updates, policy clarifications and administrative changes. Circular 2/26 focuses on four principal areas.

One of the key updates concerns the mapping and linking of agricultural land to approved agricultural stores under the Rural Policy and Design Guidance (RPDG). Under the revised approach, only the specific registered land parcels required to justify the size of a permitted agricultural store will be linked to the permit, rather than all land holdings owned by the applicant.

As from 14th May 2026, applications that are being recommended for approval or decided by the Authority must include a block plan clearly identifying the parcels to be linked. The circular also introduces a new administrative mechanism allowing periti to request amendments to agricultural constraints through an online process subject to an administrative fee.

The circular also introduces a new declaration relating to facade restoration works, replacing the Restoration Method Statement in most cases. The change is intended to streamline the submission process while ensuring restoration works continue to follow recognised international standards, conventions and restoration principles.

Applications making use of the declaration must include high-resolution photographic documentation together with deterioration and intervention mapping. Certain categories of interventions will remain excluded and will still require a separate Restoration Method Statement. Submissions are to be made electronically through the eApplications system.

In addition, the Planning Authority has published an updated Best Practice Guide – Visual Simulations 2026, replacing the previous 2015 guidelines. The revised document introduces updated methodologies and a more proportionate approach to visual simulations, while also covering new areas such as digital twins, cumulative photomontages and night-time visualisations.

All visual simulations submitted with applications lodged on or after 1st May 2026 must comply with the updated guidance. Professionals will also be required to submit a declaration confirming compliance with the new standards.

Another procedural amendment relates to Minor Amendment Requests. As from 1st June 2026, these requests may only be submitted by the perit responsible for the original case file. While applicants may still carry out a formal Change of Perit procedure for an entire application, changes affecting only individual units within larger developments will no longer be accepted.

According to the Planning Authority, the measure is intended to establish clearer lines of professional responsibility in relation to approved development permissions.

A full PDF version of Planning Circular 2/26 is available on the Planning Authority’s website.