Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Grace O'Sullivan also raised this issue on Committee Stage. It relates to section 179 of the principal planning Act which in association with Part 8 of the planning regulations sets out the arrangements for approval by local authorities of own development proposals on social housing, local roads, libraries and community facilities, etc. This amendment proposes to insert a new subsection 2A in section 179 of the planning Act to provide that regulations made under that section shall require a local authority, when notifying prescribed bodies or providing information to the public, on any local authority own development proposal, and that the information provided shall be the same as required if the proposed development was subject to a planning application. It is important to note that the Part 8 process is not the same as an application for planning permission but is rather a notice of intention to undertake a proposed development, which is ultimately subject to the approval of the elected members. In any event, the Part 8 provisions already set out the procedure to give public notice of, and ensure the public and prescribed bodies are consulted on, any such proposed developments and inviting submissions on any such proposed developments. The councillors have full control over that and full sign off on a Part 8, so if there is any doubt in terms of information there are no better people than councillors to make sure that is addressed. I consider that the current Part 8 requirements are sufficient in this regard and on this basis, I do not consider the amendment is necessary and, as on Committee Stage, I oppose it.

On the use of Part 8, I agree with Senator Humphreys that Part 8 could be used more often to move developments forward. Rapid build is a form of construction but it is often used as a term to describe projects that are getting stuck in the planning system. Part 8 could and should be used and local authorities, in taking control of addressing the housing shortage in many areas, should be able to use Part 8. Some have used it quite well and I engage with local authorities most weeks and in fairness councils have been adhering to their responsibilities quite well and trying to bring Part 8 through, in many cases, in co-operation and consultation with the local community because housing developments are often being brought in to brownfield or greenfield sites. The councils are doing their job quite well, but Part 8 should be used more often because it will speed up the process and help us to solve the housing crisis.