Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

285. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of special amenity area orders in place nationally that were issued by ministerial order; their locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56563/22]

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

Provisions in relation to the making of special amenity areas are set out in section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the 2000 Act). Under these provisions, a planning authority may make an order declaring a specified area to be an area of special amenity, for reasons of its outstanding beauty or its special recreational value, and having regard to any benefits for nature conservation.

The making of a Special Amenity Area Order is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority. However, as Minister I may, if I consider it necessary, direct a planning authority to make an order declaring a specified area to be an area of special amenity for the same reasons as outlined above. 

All special amenity area orders made by a planning authority, whether on the initiative of the authority or on foot of a direction by the Minister, require confirmation by An Bord Pleanála under section 203 of the 2000 Act before they can come into effect.

Prior to the 2000 Act, where such an order was made, it required confirmation by Ministerial Order in accordance with the provisions of section 43 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963, as amended by section 40 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1976.

There are currently three special amenity area orders in place nationally, which required confirmation by Ministerial Order. These are Fingal County Council (Howth) Special Amenity Area Order ( S.I.No. 133/2000), North Bull Island Special Amenity Order(S.I. No. 70/1995 ) and Dublin County Council (Lucan Bridge to Palmerstown) Special Amenity Area Order (S.I. No. 59 / 1990).