Written answers

Thursday, 22 September 2011

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Planning Issues

4:00 pm

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether An Bord Pléanala should have representation from rural Ireland on the board itself in view of the interest of being fair when it comes to rural planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25385/11]

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The Board of an Bord Pleanala comprises a Chairperson and up to 9 ordinary members. The appointment process, set out under sections 105 -107 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010 and Articles 56 – 65 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, require selections to be made by the Minister from nominees put forward by four representative panels of nominating bodies prescribed for this purpose.

Appointees to the Board do not represent their nominating body, but are appointed to provide, as a function of the Board, independent consideration of planning authorities' decisions submitted to the Board on appeal. I am satisfied that the current nomination and appointment processes are fair and transparent. Furthermore, as the legislative provisions underpinning these processes have only recently been endorsed by the Oireachtas, I have no proposals to make any further amendments at this time.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the sustainable rural housing guidelines for planning authorities should be re-visited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25387/11]

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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My Department's Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing (2005) are designed to achieve a balance between a good planning framework for rural housing and the local housing needs of those who are part of, or have links to, local rural communities. They elaborate on the physical development policies for rural areas as set out in the Government's National Spatial Strategy (2002) which, inter alia, promotes sustainable rural settlement as a key component of delivering more balanced regional development.

The Guidelines set out how planning authorities should frame their development plan policies for the different types of rural areas which may exist within the development plan area, such as rural areas close to large towns and cities or those suffering from population decline. They also provide guidance to planning authorities on dealing with planning applications for rural housing including consideration of issues such as access to appropriate wastewater treatment facilities, potential impacts of the development on groundwater, landscape, natural and cultural heritage and addressing road safety issues (e.g. frontage onto national roads).

I am satisfied that the Guidelines are being implemented effectively and fairly, and I will continue to keep them under review in this regard.

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