Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department routinely monitors the planning process and acts to ensure that it facilitates appropriate multi-unit housing developments to meet the broader housing requirements of society. My Department's 2009 guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable residential development in urban areas encourage local authorities to bring about high-quality and sustainable urban development, using their development planning and management functions to deliver quality homes and neighbourhoods where people want to live, work and raise families.  In particular, the guidelines outline a range of densities appropriate to different location types, from lower densities at the edges of smaller towns through to densities in the range of a minimum of 50 dwellings per hectare in larger urban areas along public transport corridors.

However, the guidelines do not set out specific policy advice in respect of height of buildings alone, in isolation from broader location, design and layout considerations nor would it be appropriate to do so, given variability in urban contexts and the inappropriateness of a one-size-fits-all height policy for very diverse urban areas.  Rather, it is a matter for local authorities to ensure the appropriate application of the guidelines in their statutory development plan and development management processes.

Notwithstanding the above, my Department is currently in the final stages of completing a cost review of multi-unit and apartment developments, which is due to be finalised later this summer.  This review is examining the key aspects of viability issues, including building height limitations, and will inform further policy development in respect of this matter.  In light of the review outcomes, the intention is to engage further with relevant local authorities like Dublin City Council to address any building height issues arising.

The Deputy will have heard me say previously that I am very much in favour of higher buildings and higher density in the right locations and we should be doing a lot more of that, particularly in Dublin but also in my own city and other cities. We do not want high-rise buildings on Georgian squares but high-rise buildings are the only way we will create significant numbers of homes, along with affordability, in Dublin city centre.

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