Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the ongoing review into the planning system, which will result in the consolidation and reform of the Planning and Development Act 2000, will include engagement on the merits of the current performance system in comparison with the more globally utilised conformance system. [46218/22]

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

Intensive work is underway on the review and consolidation of the Planning and Development Act 2000, (the Act), which is being led by the Office of the Attorney General. All provisions of the Act are being examined in the context of this review.

Whilst a key principle of the review is to avoid unnecessary change to aspects of the current planning system that are operating effectively, the review will seek to refocus the major debate, on the plan-making rather than the planning application stage, to facilitate greater clarity and long-term visibility in planning outcomes.

In particular, improvements under consideration to the area of plans and guidelines will seek to create a solid platform for plan-led growth, provide consistency in decision making that reflects national spatial policy and embed the role of elected members and meaningful public participation in the plan-making processes.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

58. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the consultation that has taken place or is planned with fishermen and fishing organisations regarding the construction of offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46232/22]

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

My Department has made significant advances in the development of marine policy over the last number of years, culminating in the launch of the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) in June of last year, and the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act in December 2021, elements of which have already been commenced.

The NMPF creates an overarching framework for decision-making that is consistent, evidence-based and secures a sustainable future for all activities in the maritime area. It contains the objectives, policies and supporting actions which the Government considers necessary to support the effective management of marine activities and more sustainable use of our marine resources.

Public consultation, including consultation with fishermen and fishing organisations, was a key element throughout the development of the NMPF. Strong protections for the rights of the fishing community are enshrined in the legally binding NMPF Fisheries policies. These polices reflect the public consultation responses received from the fishing community during the development of the NMPF. Consequently, the NMPF includes a detailed section on fisheries (section 16) and a series of policies on fisheries, which will inform the assessment of all planning applications in the maritime area

Furthermore, in response to some specific issues raised during these consultations, and in agreement with my colleagues the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, a seafood/ORE working group has been established to assist the managed introduction of the offshore renewables industry into the maritime area. Captain Robert McCabe was appointed as the independent Chairperson to the Working Group for a 2 year period in May 2022.

The initial aim of the group is to agree on a binding communications protocol between the Seafood and ORE sectors by April 2023. The relevant Government Departments have also outlined some longer term objectives for the group to consider once this initial aim has been met. These include

- Identification of opportunities for mutually beneficial co-existence between the two sectors;

- Agreement on best practice measures to ensure harmonious and safe operations at sea; and

- Potential input to the development of Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP2) and statutory Marine Planning Guidelines

The way in which Fisheries Policy 2 within the NMPF will be implemented will be also be a subject for consideration at the seafood/ORE working group, with the aim being that the group will provide expert guidance and support on the development of Fisheries Management and Mitigation Strategies as set out in the NMPF.

The inception meeting of the group took place on July 20th 2022, and was attended by 17 separate Fisheries and Aquaculture representative bodies, indicating a very positive response by the seafood sector to the commencement of this group. I understand that the group will meet on a monthly basis until the Communications Guidance document is agreed on by the participants. At that point, the Chair will make recommendations on appropriate future arrangements for the group, including the prioritisation of next issues to be discussed and resolved, consideration of the most relevant / suitable participants in each case, and the format and frequency of those engagements.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

59. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress made to date on Objective 11 of Housing for All, namely the commitment to provide planning guidance for the development of Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable and Compact Settlement Guidance, including guidance on housing typologies to facilitate innovative approaches to medium and higher densities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46308/22]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

60. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he intends to open a public consultation on Objective 11 of Housing for All, namely the commitment to provide planning guidance for the development of Section 28 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable and Compact Settlement Guidance, including guidance on housing typologies to facilitate innovative approaches to medium and higher densities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46309/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.

The compact growth of cities and towns of all sizes, in order to create more attractive places in which people can live and work, is a key objective of the National Planning Framework (NPF). My Department is in the process of developing Section 28 guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable and Compact Settlement Guidance (SCSG). When finalised, the SCSG’s will supersede current Section 28 ministerial guidelines for planning authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (the ‘Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines’) last issued in 2009. The SCSG will also supplement other relevant Guidelines such as the Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities and the Urban Development and Building Heights Guidelines for Planning Authorities.

A preliminary draft of the Guidelines has been prepared. However, recent legal judgements in relation to Strategic Housing Development decisions have had implications for the preliminary draft and the draft is being further reviewed as a result. A working group was also convened with representation from the construction industry, private built environment practitioners, professional bodies and the public sector. The group, via a series of three workshops in June, August and September 2022 discussed key issues in relation to density and viability, land use and transportation and place-making and quality design. This also included discussions related to the design and application of compact ‘own door’ housing typologies both internationally and within Ireland.

Following completion, the Draft Guidelines will be placed on display for a focused period of public consultation. This is targeted for Q4 2022. All interested parties will have an opportunity to make submissions on the guidelines at that stage. Submissions made during the public consultation period will be reviewed and where appropriate and necessary, amendments will be made to the published Draft. The guidelines will then be finalised and published. Once issued, Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála will be required to have regard to the Guidelines in carrying out their functions.