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

I will raise those specific comments with the Minister. It is clear to me and to Government that having amenities and supporting community and social infrastructure are critical to planning for sustainable communities. The provision of sufficient sporting, play and cultural spaces in our towns and cities for the residents of a neighbourhood provides significant social dividend in terms of community engagement and public health. This is recognised in Government policy, such as Town Centre First, and the national planning framework and in the publication in June of Development Plans - Guidelines for Planning Authorities.

It is the Minister's intention that the sustainable and compact settlement guidelines currently being developed will support the provision of these amenities by setting out core principles of design and place-making to be applied to create places of high quality at the level of district or neighbourhood, housing schemes and individual well-being.

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