Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy directives that are given to local authority planners as regards density levels in high rise apartment developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14452/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As indicated in the reply to Question No. 35 of 27 February 2008, I have powers as Minister under section 29 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to issue policy directives to planning authorities regarding any of their functions under the Act, and planning authorities are required to comply with any such directives in the performance of their functions. No such policy directives have been issued to planning authorities in relation to density levels in high-rise apartment developments.

On 18 September 2007, I published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments, under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. In accordance with section 28, planning authorities and an Bord Pleanála must have regard to the guidelines in the performance of their functions. The aim of these guidelines is to promote successful apartment living by setting minimum standards for well-designed apartments, particularly in terms of internal space standards, including storage space. While the guidelines set a range of minimum standards for the design and layout of new apartments, there is no reference in them to density levels within apartment developments or to building heights.

I also published for public consultation, on 10 February 2008, Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, together with an accompanying best practice Urban Design Manual which illustrates how these guidelines can be implemented. These new draft guidelines, which were also issued under section 28 of the Act, are intended to replace the 1999 Residential Density Guidelines, and are focused on creating sustainable communities by incorporating the highest design standards and providing a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of essential infrastructure and services. The objectives of the new guidelines are to:

set out stronger planning requirements to facilitate the development of sustainable communities through strengthening planning and the provision of necessary supporting services and amenities;

help achieve the most efficient use of urban land through housing densities that are appropriate to the location involved and availability of supporting services and infrastructure, particularly transport; and

set high standards in terms of space and facilities to meet the needs of the Irish context.

The 12-week public consultation period for the receipt of submissions ends on 6 May 2008. Copies of the guidelines are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.