Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on issuing planning guidelines to planning authorities on best practice for the sustainable development of corner or backyard sites, in view of the fact that in some local authority areas, such as Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, 20% of all new housing is concentrated in such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31083/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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There has been a growing trend in urban areas towards the development of sites adjacent to existing residences. This is understandable given that such development perhaps allows people to reside in the communities in which they were reared and, also, reflects the increased value of such sites. It is also attractive in terms of allowing access to existing community infrastructure, such as schools, and transport links.

Residential Density Guidelines for Planning Authorities were issued in 1999 and contain guidance on the issue of infill in urban areas. However, taking account of experiences to date with the 1999 guidelines, the rapidly changing demographics and settlement patterns, the need for more compact urban development (particularly within the Greater Dublin Area) and the on-going policy of delivering sustainable communities towards enhancing quality of life, it is proposed to prepare new planning guidelines on residential development and, also, design standards for apartments. A design guidance booklet to illustrate how the policies might be implemented will accompany the residential development guidelines.

As part of the existing guidelines, the issue of infill in urban areas will be subject to review as part of the preparation of the new guidelines.