Written answers

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Planning Issues

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

92. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the lack of one-off rural housing planning applications which have been granted by South Dublin County Council in the past five years (details supplied); the way that this figure compares to other local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3084/22]

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The National Planning Framework (NPF) features several specific National Policy Objectives (NPOs) that aim to support the overall rural pattern of development in Ireland and deliver strengthened and diversified rural communities. National Policy Objective (NPO) 15 of the NPF fully supports the concept of the sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades, while simultaneously indicating the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns.

Furthermore, NPO 19 of the NPF aims to ensure that a policy distinction is made between areas experiencing significant development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, and other weaker rural areas where population levels may be low and or declining. NPO 19 is aligned with the established planning approach as per the 2005 Rural Housing Guidelines, whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part-time) need may be applied by planning authorities in certain rural areas under urban influence in order to prevent urban sprawl.

Under the current Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing (2005), planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing.

In considering the framework for policy within a development plan, matters such as the level of pressure for development in a county, the promotion of sustainable development patterns, landscape protection, Strategic Environmental Assessment of the impact of policy and National and Regional development objectives must be taken into account.

Adoption of a plan is a reserved function of the relevant local authority, undertaken by the elected members and advised by the Chief Executive. Assessment of planning applications is also a matter for the local authority, taking into account the objectives of the adopted development plan in addition to national policy and section 28 Ministerial Guidelines. Each application must be assessed on its own merits, based on the documentation submitted, analysis of the particular site circumstances and compliance with adopted policy.

Comparison of grants of planning permission for rural housing in various local authorities does not reflect the particular issues and locational circumstances which have informed the policy framework of a local authority. These could include a location proximate to a large city and the significant level of urban-generated rural housing demand as a result, landscape sensitivity to development, the availability of land within a small local authority for rural and urban development needs and designation of significant land areas for Natura 2000 sites or other environmental sensitivities.

Updated section 28 guidelines on Rural Housing are currently being drafted by my Department to ensure consistency with new requirements and legislation at national and EU level introduced in respect of areas related to rural housing such as environmental protection, the Gaeltacht and climate action. The new guidelines, being prepared in draft in Q1 of this year, will ensure a more consistent approach between local authorities and alignment with NPF objectives. In the meantime, NPF objectives together with the 2005 Guidelines, enable planning authorities to continue to prepare and adopt development plan policies for one-off housing in rural areas.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.