Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 17, as proposed by Senators Moynihan, Hoey, Sherlock and Wall, seeks to place a ban on material change-in-use permissions for recently developed student accommodation for a period of 15 years following completion. While I acknowledge the good intent behind this amendment, the planning system as it currently exists, as well as the system envisaged under the Bill, requires permission in order for a material change in use to be authorised development. As such, a decision to permit a material change in use for student accommodation development is already required and it is rightly the responsibility of a planning authority. I do not see the need to supplant that responsibility by removing the limited flexibility that currently exists. It is imperative that we respect the expertise and decision-making capabilities of professional local authority planners when it comes to making decisions and recommendations with respect to planning applications, especially as this work must be carried out while taking into account all relevant considerations, including relevant development plans. While I do appreciate the intent behind this proposal, unfortunately, I am not in agreement with the approach proposed and, having full confidence in our planning authorities and their ability to correctly consider material change-in-use applications, unfortunately I am not in a position to accept this amendment.