Written answers

Wednesday, 26 January 2005

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Planning Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1302: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will examine all planning laws in order to respect environmental and tourist sites. [34155/04]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1304: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if grants of planning permission in sensitive tourist areas will have to adhere to strict planning standards in order that they blend in with the environment. [34157/04]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1305: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the environment is taken into consideration when planning and developing the tourist industry here; and if he will work with the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on this issue. [34158/04]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1342: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if adequate planning laws are in place to ensure that all new houses are environmentally sound and blend in with the landscape in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1267/05]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1344: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that tourist issues are given adequate consideration in the planning laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/05]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1347: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the role played by his Department in preparing guidelines for local authorities which facilitate the construction of more one-off rural houses; if adequate safeguards are in place to ensure that important environmental and tourist sensitive areas are protected in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1272/05]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1302, 1304, 1305, 1342, 1344 and 1347 together.

In March 2004 my Department published draft guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing. I expect to be in a position to issue the guidelines in final statutory form shortly. The guidelines encompass the overall policy approach to be adopted in the making of local authority development plans and in dealing with individual planning applications for houses in rural areas, including the wastewater disposal, access, design and siting considerations that should be taken into account in determining the best locations for houses.

The guidelines indicate that housing development in rural areas should be of a high quality and should complement its surroundings. The guidelines emphasise the importance of applicants, their agents and the planning authority taking a collaborative approach in ensuring that the choice and location of site, together with the design and development approach chosen, is harmonious with the physical environment of the site.

The guidelines make it clear that protecting water quality must be considered in determining whether a given site is suitable for development. In this regard, the guidelines advise that the development plan should clearly indicate those areas where ground-water quality is a critical issue and where particular requirements may apply, with an indication of the requirements with which applicants may be obliged to comply.

Under the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities are required to include objectives in their development plans for the conservation and protection of the environment. Authorities are also required to include any necessary objectives in their plans to preserve the character of the landscape, including the preservation of views and prospects and the amenities of places and features of natural beauty or interest. It is also open to authorities to include objectives in their development plans to regulate, promote or control tourism development. Fáilte Ireland, as a prescribed consultee on all draft development plans and draft regional planning guidelines under the planning and development regulations 2001, has the opportunity as appropriate to ensure that tourism issues are considered in the making of such plans and guidelines. Planning authorities are also required to seek the views of Fáilte Ireland on any development which might obstruct or detract from the value of any tourist amenity or tourist amenity works or which would involve the carrying out of works to architecturally valuable structures. I am satisfied that these requirements ensure that environmental and tourism considerations are incorporated into the consideration by planning authorities of development proposals.

While primary policy responsibility for the development of the tourism industry rests with my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, my Department is actively cooperating with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in the ongoing implementation of the recommendations of the report of the tourism policy review group.

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