EACH FRIDAY, WE bring you a round-up of all the must-know events in property that unfolded over the week, to always keep you informed of the most talked about stories in the sector.

Here’s all you may have missed this week, from emergency planning permission legislation to a new Lidl outlet in Castleknock.

1. Housing minister publishes emergency legislation to avoid planning permission ‘blunder’

Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy yesterday published a new bill which provides for second extensions of planning permission in certain circumstances, after a flaw in existing legislation was highlighted by Fianna Fáil.

In a statement, the Minister said that the provisions of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2017 are essential in allowing developers to complete unfinished housing developments.

2. Lidl gets green light for Castleknock development following local criticism

Sam Boal Sam Boal

Lidl has been given the green light for a €15 million commercial development at Castleknock, despite criticism from locals residents and politicians.

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the development in Castleknock village, which would include a supermarket, medical centre and a number of shops.

3. South Dublin council attempting to rezone school grounds so Catholic Church can’t sell them

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A local council is attempting to block the sale of €18 million worth of land attached to schools which is being sold by the Church to pay sex abuse compensation.

Last month, TheJournal.ie revealed that a row had developed between the Board of Management of Clonkeen College in Deansgrange and the Catholic Church after the Christian Brothers decided to sell 7.5 acres of land attached to the school grounds.

4. Fire has gutted one of Cork city’s best-known buildings

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A fire broke out on Tuesday evening at an iconic building in Cork City. Five units of Cork City Fire Services were in attendance at the blaze at the building formerly known as St Kevin’s Asylum, one of the city’s best-known properties. It’s believed that the blaze broke out at around 6pm.

The building, a large red-brick dating from the late 19th century situated just north of the Lee in the west of the city centre, has been closed and out of use since 2002.

5. Dublin family to stay in their home after vulture fund’s repossession case is struck out

Shutterstock / Mehndi Hasan Shutterstock / Mehndi Hasan / Mehndi Hasan

A judge who has regularly warned banks that they should be much more careful in what they are doing has refused a major loan company possession of a county Dublin couple’s home.

Judge Jacqueline Linnane struck out a claim by Tanager DAC to repossess the home of Adam and Anna Laska, 8 Chapel Farm Terrace, Lusk.

And finally, this week’s property buzzword…

Property can be far from a simple topic, and each Friday we decipher yet another piece of jargon, to give you the upper hand in conversations with estate agents (and fellow house-viewers). This week, we tackle the word balustrade.

A word you might spot in descriptions of your property, a balustrade is a railing supported by balusters, especially one found on a balcony, bridge, or terrace. What is a baluster you ask? It’s a short decorative pillar. Easy.