Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 773: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce new planning regulations to ease the bureaucratic burden on householders applying for planning permission for the conversion of their front gardens to driveways; and if he will provide details of reviews ongoing or reports completed on simplifying planning rules in this regard. [17572/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Generally, planning permission is needed for any development of land or property unless the development is specifically exempted from this requirement. The provision of a hard surface to the front or side of a house for the parking of not more than 2 motor vehicles is already exempt, under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, from the requirement to obtain planning permission, subject to certain conditions. However, this exemption does not include the widening of a gateway or access to the property. These exemptions were revised and updated in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.

The introduction of different planning application processes for different types of development would not necessarily deliver a more streamlined or simplified planning system overall. The widening of a gate or access to a property may seem like a relatively minor development; however it may have significant impacts on road safety, neighbouring properties or the appearance of a house or row of houses. Where this is the case, it is appropriate that these issues should fall to be considered by the planning code.

In addition, given the potential implications of such works, the requirements of the current Regulations, which have been endorsed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, are considered reasonable and appropriate.