Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a derogation from housing density guidelines for the building of a house for family members in the corner site of a family home. [7535/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The guidelines for planning authorities on residential density issued in September 1999 were assigned to promote the achievement of higher residential densities in appropriate locations in tandem with improved public transport systems. The guidelines include consideration of the issue of infill residential development in inner suburban areas. This would include cases in which it is proposed to construct a new dwelling within the garden of an existing dwelling. The guidelines indicate that the provision of additional dwellings within inner suburban areas of towns and cities proximate to existing or due to be improved public transport corridors has the potential for revitalising areas and utilising to a greater degree the capacity of existing social and physical infrastructure. This can be supported by way of infill or subdivision of existing dwellings.

On infill development the guidelines state that in residential areas whose character is established by their density or architectural form, a balance needs to be struck between the reasonable protection of the amenities and privacy of adjoining dwellings, the protection of established character and the need to provide residential infill. The guidelines indicate that the design approach in such circumstances should be based on a recognition of the need to protect the amenities of directly adjoining neighbours and the general character of the area and its amenities, that is, views, architectural quality, civic design etc. The exact requirements to be applied in each area are a matter for the relevant planning authority in the context of any relevant policies contained in its development plan. The residential density guidelines do not make specific reference to any particular category of applicant for planning permission in the context of applications for infill residential development.