Written answers

Wednesday, 4 October 2006

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Planning Issues

9:00 pm

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to allow local authorities to consider educational needs in assessing planning applications for new housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30977/06]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Section 10 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that a development plan must contain objectives for the provision, or facilitation of the provision of services for the community including in particular, schools, crèches and other education and child care facilities.

Under the provisions of section 11(3)(c) of the 2000 Act planning authorities are required when proceeding the review of their development plans, to be pro-active in consulting service and infrastructure providers, including education, to ascertain their long-term plans for the provision of such services in the area.

In this context, local authorities are required to circulate draft development plans and to consult with the Department of Education and Science at relevant stages of the process. This can provide the Department with an opportunity to suggest the reservation of land for educational use.

Section 8 of the Planning and Development Amendment Act, 2002 provides that a local area plan must be consistent with the objectives of the development plan and may include (a) objectives for the zoning of land for the use solely or primarily of particular areas for particular purposes, and (b) such other objectives, in such detail as may be determined by the planning authority, for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area to which it applies, including detail on community facilities and amenities.

In zoning land in a development plan to provide for the creation of new residential communities it would be normal practice for local authorities to specify the provision of schools and other community facilities as uses to be permitted within such zonings and to accompany this with an objective to secure the provision of these facilities. Where a more detailed local area plan is prepared for such an area it is normal practice for such a plan to identify specifically the location of the various facilities, including schools, needed to support such communities, essentially reserving the sites for various facilities including sites for schools.

Also, where a Strategic Development Zone has been designated by Government, the planning authority is required to prepare a planning scheme which, inter alia, provides for an integrated approach to the provision on essential community infrastructure, such as schools and child care facilities.

My Department has and will continue to consult and co-operate with the Department of Education and Science, and other relevant Departments and planning authorities, to ensure that the planning process facilitates the strategic provision of educational facilities that support sustainable communities.

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