Written answers

Tuesday, 15 November 2022

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Urban Development

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

263. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider allocating space and funding for a public allotment in all new public parks, particularly those under the URDF scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56187/22]

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

The provision of allotments is addressed within the guidelines on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas, a copy of which issued as Ministerial Guidance within the meaning of Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended) in 2009.

Within these guidelines, Section 4.18 - Recommended Qualitative Standards – refers to the need for a focus on the quality of public open space and the activities which take place therein in addition to addressing the reasonable expectations of users. This includes the consideration of allotments and community gardens, noting that they are of particular value in higher density areas. Local authorities must ‘have regard’ to these Section 28 Guidelines when carrying out their strategic planning or development management functions.

In terms of planning, providing, enabling and supporting allotments, legislation is in place in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Local Government Act 2000 (as amended) to identify locations in development plans for allotment development, and to establish allotments as a part of local government’s role in promoting the interests of local communities. Identifying land for allotment development in a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members in considering and making the plan, while the provision of allotment or similar facilities on local authority land is a matter for each individual local authority including their elected members and is subject to availability of resources and community inputs and support for such proposals.

Regarding the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan, the URDF is currently providing part-funding to applicant-led projects that will enable a greater proportion of residential development to be delivered within the existing built footprints of both our cities and large towns. To this end, the URDF has already allocated in excess of €1.6 billion in funding to regeneration projects under two separate calls for proposals since its inception in 2018.

The criteria for the third call for proposals, the details of which I expect to announce in the coming weeks, are currently under development in cooperation with stakeholders. A key criteria will be for projects to contribute to the activation of vacant properties and the acceleration of residential developments within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and other large towns. This approach will ensure the projects supported by the URDF align with the objectives of other government policies such as Housing for All and Town Centre First.

My Department will continue to work closely with local authorities in respect of project development under Call 3. It should be noted however that responsibility for the composition of any proposals and their advancement through the various stages of planning, development and completion is, in the first instance, a matter for the sponsoring agency.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.