Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of projects commenced and completed under the special development zone powers of planning Acts to date. [9341/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under Part IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Government may by Order, on foot of a proposal from the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, designate a site or sites as a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) to facilitate development which is considered, in the Government's opinion, to be of economic or social importance to the State. Before proposing the designation of a site or sites to the Government, the Minister must consult with any relevant development agency or planning authority on the proposed designation.

To date, four SDZs have been designated by Government: Adamstown in South Dublin (2001); Clonmagedden in Meath (2001); Hansfield in Fingal (2001); and Balgaddy-Clonburris in South Dublin (2006).

The Adamstown SDZ in South Dublin, with a total area of 210 hectares, was designated in 2001 and the planning scheme was approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2003. There are a total of 10,150 housing units planned for the site over 13/14 phases, to be complete by 2013. Phase 1 of the dwellings went on the market in February 2006 and the next phase is being launched in early 2007.

Designated in 2001, the planning scheme for the 88-hectare Hansfield SDZ in Fingal (close to Blanchardstown) was approved by An Bord Pleanála in January 2006. There are a total of 3,000 housing units planned for the site and it is envisaged that these will be delivered in 3 phases. A Steering Group and Implementation Team was established by Fingal County Council in April 2006. Permissions were granted late last year for 459 dwellings on 13 hectares of the site.

The 38-hectare Clonmagedden SDZ in Navan, Co. Meath was designated in 2001 and the planning scheme was approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2003. No phasing or delivery timescales are yet finalised for the 1,400 housing units planned for the site. A Steering Group established by Meath County Council is currently in discussions with the landowners and developers.

The 170-hectare Balgaddy-Clonburris SDZ in South Dublin was designated in July 2006 with capacity for 7,000/8,000 housing units. The planning scheme is currently being drafted.