asked the Minister for the Environment the minimum area that must be designated for public use as open space in urban housing developments; and if he is satisfied that local authorities require developers to make such open space available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Open Space in Urban Housing Developments.
22.
There is no statutory requirement as to the minimum amount of open space to be provided in housing developments. The policy of planning authorities for the provision of open space is normally outlined in the development plan for their areas.
As regards local authority housing, the amount of open space to be provided is decided by the authority. A minimum provision of seven acres per 1,000 population, where playgrounds and open space are not already available in reasonable proximity to the scheme, has been recommended by my Department. In regard to private housing estates, planning authorities have powers available to them under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976, to secure the provision of open space. I have no reason to believe that planning authorities have found these powers to be inadequate or that they do not make appropriate use of them.
Is the Minister satisfied that local authorities comply with the recommendations from his Department of seven acres of space per 1,000 population?
I am. I said that a minimum provision of seven acres per 1,000 population where playgrounds and open space are not already available in reasonable proximity to the scheme has been recommended by my Department. Possibly in different local authorities the definition of reasonable proximity to the scheme may have different meanings but I am generally satisfied that open space is being provided in the ones of which I have knowledge. I could not answer for all of them.
Would it not be advisable if the Minister's Department monitored the activities of local authorities in this regard because I have a feeling that some of them contravene the Minister's recommendations?
Maybe what the Deputy says is true. If the Deputy has anything more than a distinct feeling, if he has anything concrete to back up that feeling, I would be very glad to know of it. I am sure if there was widespread non-compliance with my directive my Department would be aware of it. Perhaps in some cases there is non-compliance. I will have the matter checked up but, as far as my Department are concerned, they have no specific case before them where it is not being adhered to.
The Minister said that there is no statutory minimum area. Would he consider imposing such a statutory limit to the amount of land in open space which is required particularly in view of the Dublin sprawl where, on driving through the suburbs there virtually does not seem to be any open space. At a glance one would not notice that there was seven acres per 1,000 houses. Would the Minister consider some statutory imposition?
I would prefer to let the Planning Acts and the local planning authorities deal with the development plans. I believe that is a more desirable way of doing it. I want to clarify that what I said about the seven acres is for local authority housing not for private estates.
The Minister mentioned the Planning Acts. Could I suggest that it is time we had a review of the 1963 Planning Act, which is almost 20 years old. Has the Minister got any immediate plans to write a new Planning Act?
I am reviewing the matter at the moment and I will have something in before very long.
With the intention of writing a new Planning Act?
Some time this year I will be before the House with amendments to the existing Planning Acts or with a new Bill.
Will the Minister be amending the 1963 Planning Act this year?
The existing two Acts, the 1963 and the 1976 Acts.