Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question on the need to make land available to sporting clubs and organisations for the development of sporting and community facilities in villages, towns and cities. I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage continues to support the enhancement of amenities in cities, towns and villages and there have been important policy developments in recent years, as well as considerable funding secured for such enhancements. There are also important planning principles that inform the provision of such spaces. Section 67 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended, provides that "a local authority may take such measures, engage in such activities or do such things (including the incurring of expenditure) as it considers necessary or desirable to promote the interests of the local community", including in relation to sports, games and other such activities. Schedule 13 of that Act identifies that such measures taken, activities engaged in or things done by local authorities shall include "the provision (both indoor and outdoor) of playing fields, athletic tracks, swimming pools and other bathing places, sports centres, gymnasia and other facilities and the holding of sporting events". The reservation of lands for recreational and amenity purposes is a matter to be addressed as part of the review of a city or county development plan.

The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, requires that a development plan include objectives for the zoning of land for use solely or primarily for particular purposes, including for recreational and open space purposes, to such an extent as the proper planning and sustainable development of the area requires. The requirement to make land available for public use is also addressed within guidelines, as follows.

The development plan guidelines for planning authorities highlight the role of the city or county development plan in the provision of public open space. It is recommended that the development plan incorporate a public open space strategy that addresses open space provision as part of a wider assessment of community facilities and amenities. It is envisaged that the development would take a strategic view, including identifying any need for local, town or regional parks, with local area plans and other strategies providing greater detail. The guidelines recommend that when making zoning decisions, consideration must be given to the open space required to serve the community, and that lands should be zoned accordingly. The guidelines also note that the development plan can support a structured approach to open space provision within new developments by including requirements and standards to be applied through the planning process, noting the distinction between open space that is required to serve an individual development and that required to serve the community more broadly.

The local area plan guidelines of 2013 state that there should be an emphasis on providing conveniently located neighbourhood facilities commensurate with the projected population for a local area, including play areas. Public open spaces should be easily reached and take biodiversity issues into account in their design.

The sustainable residential development in urban areas guidelines of 2009 state, in section 4.16, that the provision of public open spaces at district and local level will be guided by city or county wide policies. In new development areas, local area plans should identify the preferred location of larger open spaces, including locations in adjoining non-development areas that may accommodate playing pitches and larger recreational facilities. A more flexible approach is envisaged in housing schemes, with spaces suitable for smaller children's play, informal kick-about and passive amenity. Further detail in this regard is provided within the urban design manual, which supplements the guidelines.

Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments 2020, in section 4.13, states that the recreational needs of children must be considered as part of communal amenity space within the apartment scheme. The apartment guidelines also provide further details with regard to the forms and location of such facilities.

The guidelines I have cited are issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities must have regard to the guidelines when carrying out their strategic planning or development management functions. This means that planning authorities are required to demonstrate how the policies and objectives of the guidelines have been applied.

It should be noted that the Department is working towards developing detailed guidelines in relation to sustainable settlements, which will incorporate elements of the 2009 guidelines. It is intended that the proposed sustainable and compact settlement guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Act and will seek to address key issues in relation to the design of open space, which provides a range of active and passive spaces to support the development of amenable neighbourhoods that promote high quality of life for residents.

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