Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 5

Written Answers. - Planning Applications.

Enda Kenny

Question:

31 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of planning applications before Dúchas for report; if she has satisfied herself that sufficient staff are available to Dúchas to deal with these applications in a professional and efficient manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6423/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Under the 1994 Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, as amended, planning authorities are obliged to notify certain prescribed bodies of planning applications received by them, depending on the nature and effects of the proposed development on the interests of the body concerned. My Department, as the State authority charged with the protection and conservation of the nation's natural and built heritage, is one of the prescribed bodies. Where such applications are referred to my Department they are assessed by Dúchas, the heritage service, whose views are conveyed to the planning authority where they are warranted.

The number of planning and development proposals-applications received by Dúchas in January and February was 1,500. The figures for 1995 to 1999 were 2,700, 3,100, 4,500, 6,100 and 7,500 respectively and represent a 178% increase over those years. The increase is as a result of the growth in the economy over the same period as well as an increased awareness of heritage matters generally. Advice on planning and development proposals-applications is required from a number of disciplines within Dúchas. Rangers-ecologists provide advice in relation to the natural heritage, engineers provide advice in relation to inland waterways and both architects and archaeologists provide advice in relation to the built heritage.

Generally many proposed developments are discussed with my officials in advance and this has given the opportunity to provide advice at an early stage to balance development with conservation. Very few applications affecting the heritage are opposed and this pre-application consultation mechanism can help avoid delay. The volume of consultations has grown considerably, however, and it is not possible to offer this detailed level of advice in all cases. In the case of architectural heritage it is now recognised that this preliminary advice is best given at local level and planning authorities now have funds and sanction to recruit architectural conservation officers in this regard.

Where a proposed development would impact on an area of heritage importance, Dúchas may have no objection to the proposed development; or recommend to the planning authority the incorporation of conditions in the grant permission that would address their concerns in relation to this site; or object to the proposed development and recommend to the planning authority the refusal of planning permission. In cases where Dúchas have no objections they advise the planning authorities only when requested to do so. In the other two situations it is a matter solely for the planning authorities to decide whether or not to accept such recommendations and I would hope that the planning authorities in their decisions would address any concerns raised with them by Dúchas.

I believe that the advice offered by Dúchas is professional and it has helped save aspects of our heritage from damage through inappropriate development. For the most part there are sufficient resources to deal with planning applications in an efficient manner although I am preparing proposals to recruit additional staff for archaeology to deal with a number of pressure areas in this discipline.