Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review planning legislation and guidelines to ensure that adequate facilities and infrastructure are always included in any residential development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30907/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Planning and Development Act 2000 gives planning authorities a range of powers to ensure the sustainable development of their administrative areas through the local development plan and when considering specific planning applications.

The main instrument for the sustainable development of the local area is the city or county development plan, which has to be renewed every 6 years. I recently published a public consultation draft of Development Plan Guidelines. The Guidelines, inter alia, highlight the requirements regarding recreation and amenities under the Planning and Development Act 2000 that local authorities must have regard to in preparing their development plans. These include objectives for:

the provision or facilitation of the provision of infrastructure;

the preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities; and

the provision of public open space and recreation space including space/places for children to play.

I also intend to review the Residential Density Guidelines (1999) and to publish new guidelines in early 2007. The current Guidelines address issues such as the criteria to be taken into account when providing for higher density development, including the provision of social and community facilities, pedestrian and cycle linkages and the need to address the needs of children and elderly people. The new Guidelines will continue to develop these important linkages and will also focus on the need to place a greater emphasis on the quality of open space including spaces suitable for children's play, informal kickabout and passive amenity.

Finally, a new Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities was approved by the Government and published in December 2005. Further work is continuing on a more detailed statement to be published before the end of the year, which will include guidance on how residential development can be more effectively linked to the provision of physical infrastructure such as transport, social infrastructure such as schools and amenities such as sporting and community facilities.

In short, I believe that local authorities have all the tools necessary for them to ensure the adequate and appropriate provision of facilities and infrastructure in residential developments within their areas and work is continuing to ensure that the most up-to-date guidance is available to assist them in that.