Author: Kevin Barry BSc(Hons) MRICS

Analysis of Strangford Lough Crossing Proposal in Light of Recent Policy Documents and Research Summary of How the Pivotal Platform Article Reflects on the Strangford Lough Crossing Scheme The Pivotal Platform article “Delivering on Active Travel: a holistic, place-based approach for more sustainable communities” (April 2, 2025) strongly aligns with the rationale for a Strangford […]

Strategic stalling from unionism (DUP/UUP/TUV) on implementing or embracing the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) is only strengthening the growing inevitability of some form of unification. Unionism is deliberately slowing progress under the GFA as a tactic to block change — then the question becomes: what developments would seriously challenge that strategy […]

A slowdown in business activity, while challenging for many, can present strategic opportunities for those who are financially stable and long-term focused. Here’s a breakdown of key positives from that lens: 1. Reduced Land and Property Prices 2. Lower Labour and Contractor Costs 3. Cheaper Materials and Shorter Lead Times 4. […]

Small builders in Northern Ireland, as of this week (April 1, 2025), would likely want to focus on the following top 10 key cost metrics to effectively plan and manage their projects. These metrics reflect the current economic climate, construction trends, and regional factors influencing building costs: These metrics are shaped by regional factors like […]

The Irish Government has allocated €633 million for national roads in 2025, as announced by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien on March 28, 2025. This funding, which represents a €92 million increase from 2024, will be managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and is aimed at enhancing the national road network across the Republic of […]

30-Year Infrastructure Plan for Northern Ireland (2025–2055).Above politics! Objectives Key Assumptions 1. Sewage Infrastructure Community Need: Modernize aging sewage systems, reduce overflows, and meet environmental standards. 2. Water Infrastructure Community Need: Ensure clean, reliable water supply and reduce leakage rates (currently ~40% in NI). 3. Electricity Infrastructure Community Need: Transition to renewables, improve grid reliability, […]

Executive Summary. The UK Spring Statement 2025, delivered on March 26, brings significant construction-related news: a £600 million training package for 60,000 workers, £2 billion for affordable housing, and a push toward 1.5 million new homes. For Northern Ireland, these measures don’t directly apply due to devolved powers, but funding boosts via the Barnett Formula […]

Time for action, where economic growth new priority. Assessing the length of time to obtain planning approval in Northern Ireland involves analyzing key metrics such as processing times for major and local development applications, alongside enforcement case conclusions. Data is drawn from the latest available Northern Ireland Planning Statistics: 2023/24 Annual Statistical Bulletin (covering April […]

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day had a different kind of resonance—quieter, perhaps, but no less significant. For decades, the day has served as a powerful expression of Irish identity, especially in America. It’s a sea of green, a celebration of heritage, and for many, a reaffirmation of a cultural and political bond with Ireland’s nationalist […]

Comparing the planning and building times for major infrastructure projects in China and the UK reveals stark differences, driven by distinct political systems, planning processes, and approaches to development. While comprehensive, project-by-project data is limited, evidence from key examples and broader trends highlights these disparities. In China, major infrastructure projects are often completed at an […]