asked the Minister for Local Government if he has yet sanctioned proposals for a scheme of forty-eight houses on a site at Laytown, County Meath, the layout plans of which were sent to him on 30th October, 1964.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Laytown (Meath) Housing.
22.
On 7th December, 1964, Meath County Council were informed that no objection was seen to the proposed utilisation for housing purposes of a site at Laytown but that the layout plan proposed was unsatisfactory in certain respects. I understand that a revised layout plan will be submitted to my Department shortly.
Would the Minister say if the reason the original layout plan was considered unsuitable was that his Department were not sure how it would fit into the proposed planning under the new Planning Act and would he say how the council could fit a scheme into a plan which has not yet been prepared?
This would be one of the related considerations that would enter into this matter. The others are the proposed density of houses per acre. The layout generally was quite monotonous. No provision had been made for any car parking space. No provision whatsoever had been made for an open space. No contours were indicated on the plans submitted to me.
Would the Minister explain whether or not the other consideration to which I referred will be pursued by his Department because, if it is, it will be about 18 months before this scheme can be proceeded with?
In fact, I expect the plans from the Deputy's county to be in my Department next week.
The Minister obviously did not get the point. The original notice rejecting the plans referred to the proposed plan for the county. It will be prepared before next October 12 months. Would the Minister say if his Department will insist on that plan being prepared before this scheme is sanctioned?
Not if it is to be next October 12 months. As I have told the Deputy, the revised plans are expected, according to the Meath County Council officials, in my Department next week.
What if they are sent back for the same reason as they were sent back the last time?
The reasons I have given the Deputy were all given in our letter returning the proposed plan last December. Also, we asked them to give us a copy of a comprehensive plan they had had made by a planning consultant.
Is the Minister aware that that plan would have cost over £20 million to put into operation 20 years ago?
Obviously we cannot discuss the plan.
We have neither the plan nor the costings to which Deputy Tully refers.
It will not be much use to the Minister when he does get it. He can be sure of that.
We will know that when we get it.