DAA bid to increase Dublin airport passenger cap to 40 million hit by planning delay

Gordon Deegan

The planning application by Dublin airport operator, DAA to raise the current 32 million passenger per annum cap at Dublin airport to 40 million passengers per annum has been hit by a fresh planning delay.

This follows Fingal Co Council granting a three-month extension to November 14th to DAA in which to prepare a response to the large tranche of further information requested by the Council in February on the application.

In February, Fingal Council planners requested further information across 85 headings in a 45-page letter and DAA had six months in which to provide a response.

The large raft of information was due to be submitted by August 15th and the Council has granted the DAA a three-month extension to November 14th in which to provide a response.

In a letter to the Council, planning consultant for daa, Aiden O'Neill of Coakley O’Neill Town Planning had sought the extension due to the “nature, extent and complexity” of the request for further information.

Mr O'Neill also confirmed that the extension of time was required to ensure a comprehensive response to the request for further information.

A spokesperson for DAA said: "The volume of information required by the planning authority is very significant. We requested more time to ensure we provide comprehensive and accurate responses.”

“The volume of further information that needs to be provided is substantial. We are committed to addressing all queries thoroughly to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.”

On the expected timing of the decision on the application, he said that the final decision on the infrastructure application is up to both Fingal County Council and Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) as the competent authority.

He said: "If the decision is appealed to An Bord Pleanála, the timeline would extend accordingly.”

The DAA is still awaiting a ruling from An Bord Pleanála on its application to amend planning conditions on the operation of the North Runway.

Daa lodged the ‘North Runway Relevant Action’ application to amend the conditions in December 2020 with the Council and more than three years and eight months on, the application remains before the appeals board.

The spokesperson said: “We have seen the significant timelines it has taken to reach a final determination on the North Runway Relevant Action and we are hopeful that given the strategic importance of this application, and the resourcing of An Bord Pleanala which has happened over the recent past, might ensure as expedient a decision as possible.”

The spokesperson said that DAA is currently working on an interim application to raise the 32m passenger cap and this is expected to seek an increase to 36m passengers per annum.

He said: "This will be submitted if we believe it can expedite the lifting of the cap, thereby protecting jobs and maintaining connectivity.”