Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposals in relation to the "use it or lose it" provision in relation to zoned, designated land which the owners had failed to develop or to allow be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7422/07]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposal to speed up the supply of development land particularly land for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7424/07]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his proposed "use it or lose it" provision under which the State will compulsorily acquire development land from owners who have failed to exploit its potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7423/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 152 and 185 together.

The Government has approved the drafting of a Designated Land (Housing Development) Bill. The primary purpose of the proposed legislation is to provide for a "use it or lose it" scheme which could be deployed by planning authorities on a selective basis to accelerate the development of appropriate land that is already zoned for housing.

The General Scheme of the Bill provides for—

powers for planning authorities to enter into a binding agreement with, or impose requirements on, the owners of designated land in order to bring such land into housing development;

an amended compensation mechanism whereby designated land, if not developed in agreement with, or in accordance with requirements imposed by, the relevant planning authority, could be compulsorily acquired at below market value; and

as a possible alternative to compulsory acquisition, provision for the imposition by planning authorities of an annual development incentive levy on designated land.

The General Scheme also provides for mandatory registration of, and the imposition of a levy on, land purchase options.