Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Strategic Development Zones.

Billy Timmins

Question:

347 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the current position on his plans to designate a number of key strategic sites as special development zones; the location of these zones; if this will be an interim list; the plans he has to extend it; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22385/00]

Billy Timmins

Question:

348 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the fiscal penalty he will place on the non-realisation of the potential of proposed special development zones; the way in which the system will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22386/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.

In pursuance of the decision announced in the Government's Action on Housing on the principle of designating strategic development zones where the delivery of significant numbers of houses was to be advanced, my Department wrote on 12 July to the authorities in the area covered by the strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area, the other county boroughs and their surrounding counties and to Louth and Westmeath County Councils seeking proposals from them for suitable large scale residential development sites that could be considered for designation under part IX of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as strategic development zones for residential development. Proposals were received from Cork, Fingal, Louth, Meath, South Dublin, Westmeath and Wicklow County Councils and Dublin and Waterford Corporations seeking the designation of a total 25 sites as strategic development zones.

An evaluation of the 25 sites submitted is being finalised having regard to the following criteria: the number and phasing of the housing units which would be delivered by the inclusion of the lands within a strategic development zone; the potential for comprehensive planning offered by the nature and scale of the land and its ownership structure; the existence of water and sewerage services or the likelihood of the provision of such services in the short-term; the location of lands proximate to existing or proposed public transport corridors; and the need to deliver a high quality of design and layout. I will shortly be inviting a number of these authorities to give more detailed consideration to selected sites. It is my intention that following this more detailed analysis and the commencement of part IX of the Act in November, that a number of these sites will be designated by Government order in December. Further sites may be designated by the Government at a later date, either for residential development or for other types of development which are of economic or social importance to the State.

Arrangements to give effect to the Action on Housing proposal for the introduction of a land retention levy of £3,000 per potential site unit per annum for non-development of sites within the designated strategic development zones as aquid pro quo for fast tracking planning and infrastructure provision are under consideration in my Department.