Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 563: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to introduce new urban design guidelines for building new housing developments in order that future generations can look back with pride on the environment which we are building today. [19383/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 564: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to require all new apartments and other high density developments to comply with minimum design standards dealing with space, light, noise protection, recycling facilities and recreational facilities. [19384/08]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 565: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to include in local area plans, adequate provision for green areas, play spaces and community space. [19385/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 to 565, inclusive, together.

My Department issued Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for Apartments on 18 September 2007, with the aim of promoting sustainable urban housing by ensuring that the design and layout of new apartments provide high quality accommodation for a variety of household types and sizes, including families with children. The guidelines have a strong emphasis on family living which is reflected in the minimum floor areas and other dimensions cited. They also address and give guidance on issues such as: access; safety and security; general storage areas in apartments; communal refuse storage facilities, including recycling; car and bicycle parking; adequate daylight and sunlight in apartments; minimising noise transmission between apartments; communal and private open space; and recreational and play facilities for children. The guidelines were issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which requires planning authorities to have regard to them in the performance of their functions, and are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas were issued by my Department for public consultation in early February. These draft guidelines, which are accompanied by a best practice Urban Design Manual, call for high-quality standards in terms of the design and layout of new residential areas which are properly integrated with good transport links, community and recreation facilities. They also cover the broad range and types of urban development from city centre developments down to residential developments in small towns and villages. The public consultation period closed on 6 May and the Department is currently collating and considering the submissions received. The draft guidelines and Urban Design Manual are available to view on my Department's website. These guidelines will be issued under section 28 of the Act when finalised later this year.

Section 10(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires development plans to include objectives for the preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities and, also, the provision, or facilitation of the provision, of services for the community such as childcare facilities. Section 19 of the Act also requires local area plans to be consistent with the objectives of the development plan for the area.

In order to assist planning authorities in the preparation and implementation of development plans, my Department published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans in June 2007. These guidelines, inter alia, emphasise the objectives for the provision of public open space and recreation space, including space/places for children to play and the preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities. These guidelines were also issued under section 28 of the Act and are available on my Department's website.