Written Answers. - Planning Regulations.
Noel Ahern
Question:
288
Mr. N. Ahern
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if he will clarify recent changes in exemptions for planning permissions in relation to domestic house extension; and the reason minor works, for example, driveways, were not included for the exemptions.
[18719/00]
Richard Bruton
Question:
294
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
when the new limit of 40 square metres for exempted development will be operative; if there will be any additional conditions over and above those which applied with the 23 square metre limit for exemption; and if he will ensure that there is no delay in issuing these regulations in view of the fact the summer months are the best opportunity for such works.
[18020/00]
Seán Haughey
Question:
314
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
when he will alter Article 1(a) of column 2 of the Second Schedule, Part 1, Exempted Development - General of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994; when conditions and limitations protecting the amenities of adjoining neighbours will be added to column 2, as recommended by a company (details supplied), in view of the fact that the recommendations have now created some temporary uncertainty for householders planning extensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18380/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 288, 294 and 314 together.
I made the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2000 – S.I. No. 181 of 2000 – on 22 July 2000. The new regulations increase, subject to certain conditions, the size of extensions to the rear of houses which are exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission, from 23 square metres to 40 square metres, where the house has not been extended previously. The regulations set out a number of conditions designed to ensure that the changes in relation to exempted development extensions do not result in any injury to the amenities of adjoining properties. Where the house is either terraced or semi-detached, the floor area of the first floor extension, if any, shall not exceed 12 square metres. Therefore, any extension to a terraced or semi-detached house, which would result in a floor area at first floor level of greater than 12 square metres will require planning permission; where the house is detached, the floor area of the first floor extension, if any, shall not exceed 20 square metres. Therefore, any extension to a detached house which would involve a first floor area of more than 20 square metres, will require planning permission. Where the house has been previously extended, the floor area of any such extension, taken together with the floor area of any previous extension or extensions, including those for which planning permission has been obtained, shall not exceed 40 square metres. In other words, any extension which would increase the extended area of the house in excess of 40 square metres, will require planning permission. In the case of a semi-detached or terraced house which has been extended previously, the floor area of any first floor extension should not exceed either the floor area of the first floor of the existing extension or 12 square metres, whichever is the greater. In the case of a detached house which has been previously extended, the floor area of the first floor extension should not exceed the floor area of the first floor of the existing extension or 20 square metres, whichever is the greater. The regulation also sets out the required distances between windows in domestic extensions and the facing boundary of an adjoining property. The regulation also specifies that the roof of any such extension should not be used as a balcony or roof garden.
The new regulations have immediate effect. Copies of the regulations have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994 – Second Schedule, Part 1, Class 6 – already provide that the development to the front or side of a dwelling house of a hard surface for the parking of not more than two motor vehicles used for a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house is exempted development.
