Co-living falls under the shared accommodation arrangements introduced as part of the strategic housing development (SHD) process in the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 (the Act).
In this regard, planning applications for shared accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more are made directly to An Bord Pleanála (the Board) for determination.
As of 31 March 2021, the Board had received 15 SHD applications in respect of 3,506 shared accommodation units. The Board has granted permission in three cases to date in respect of 815 shared accommodation units. Four cases, in respect of 966 shared accommodation units, remain to be decided. Seven cases, in respect of 1,515 shared accommodation units, were either refused permission or had the decision to grant permission quashed following judicial review. One application, in respect of 210 shared accommodation units, was withdrawn.