ALONE Submission on the Draft National Planning Statement on Planning Design Standards for Apartments (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, 7 July 2026)
ALONE welcomes the opportunity to respond to the draft National Planning Statement on Planning Design Standards for Apartments, 2026. As both a service provider and an Approved Housing Body (AHB), ALONE has direct experience delivering and supporting housing for older people, including Housing with Support developments such as the Richmond Place demonstrator project in Inchicore.
This submission notes that 36% of older people assessed by ALONE in 2025 reported housing-related issues, that reliance on the private rental sector is increasing among older people, and that Ireland’s population aged 65 and over is projected to increase by 140% between 2022 and 2057, creating an urgent requirement for housing solutions that support independence, dignity and social inclusion.
The submission makes recommendations in three areas. On apartment mix and supply, ALONE recommends that a mix of unit types is specified in the guidelines for general-needs apartment developments to ensure that demand is met. On minimum size and use of Universal Design, ALONE recommends that the existing guidelines whereby 50% of units in a scheme are required to exceed the minimum floor area are maintained, and the existing minimum size requirement of studio apartments is maintained. On building design and amenity, ALONE recommends adequate lift provision, maintaining existing requirements for dual aspect ratios, and maintaining existing standards for provision of communal and private amenity (i.e. garden and balcony) spaces.
This was submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in July 2026.
