Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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276. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to review the urban development and building heights guidelines for planning authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43043/20]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Project Ireland 2040, including the National Planning Framework, identified the achievement of compact growth as a key mechanism to support the future sustainable development of our cities and towns, addressing issues such as regional development, urban sprawl, long-distance commuting, housing supply and climate action.

’Urban Development and Building Height’ Guidelines for Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála which were published by my Department in 2018, pursuant to Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), support the achievement of compact growth. Publication of the guidelines, followed a period of public consultation and consideration of over 100 submissions and a thorough assessment by my Department. A copy of the guidelines is available on my Department’s website at the following link:

www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/urban_development_and_building_height_guidelines_for_planning_authorities_december_2018_0.pdf.

In determining planning policy and making planning decisions around appropriate building heights, the planning process has to strike a careful balance between enabling long-term and strategic development of relevant areas, while ensuring the highest standards of urban design, architectural quality and place-making outcomes. I am satisfied that these guidelines are necessary and appropriate to give clear context and direction to the overall requirement to promote increased density and building height in appropriate locations within our urban centres. I currently have no plans to review these guidelines.