Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Planning Issues

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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39. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will follow good planning practices to ensure the provision of good quality housing alongside adequate services and recreational provision, thereby creating a suitable and supportive environment in which to rear families with consequent benefits for a stable and growing society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11185/16]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the heart of good planning is the creation of strong communities. The 10 principles on which the planning system in Ireland is based are set out clearly in my Department’s Planning Policy Statement published in 2015. Principle No.3 , which is particularly relevant to the issue raised by the Deputy, states: ‘Planning is about creating communities and further developing existing communities in a sustainable manner by securing high quality urban design through the design, delivery and co-ordination of new development providing a good quality of life for all existing and future users of land and buildings.’

My Department has issued a number of Planning Guidelines aimed at ensuring that new housing development is well located and supported by the required infrastructure. Where planning authorities have not sufficiently taken account of these national guidelines, I have statutory power to direct a planning authority to amend a development plan under procedures set out in Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

At a practical level, these principles are articulated in development plans and local area plans which set the local context for the assessment of new residential development proposals. These statutory plans have evolved over recent years to become more sophisticated in identifying the supporting infrastructure, including community and recreational facilities, required to develop sustainable communities. At local area plan level, they now include measures to phase appropriate housing development in conjunction with the identified infrastructure to ensure the creation of high quality places for our citizens to live.

An example of the type of integrated planning which I seek to support is the recent Government decision to designate Poolbeg West in the Dublin Docklands as a Strategic Development Zone under section 166 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Dublin City Council will now prepare a comprehensive planning scheme for the planned development of these lands, including in excess of 2000–2,500 new homes, as well as supporting social, educational and recreational infrastructure. The process will be undertaken in full statutory consultation with the local community and other stakeholders involved.

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