Vol. 525 No. 3
263 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that adequate green space provision is being made in residential development throughout the country; and the proposals he has to introduce a directive to local authorities to ensure an increased minimum level of green space as part of development plans and planning permission decisions. [24904/00]
The criteria to be applied to the provision of public open space in housing schemes are a matter for each planning authority in accordance with their development plan. When deciding on planning applications a planning authority must have regard to the policies set out in the plan and may attach conditions to permissions requiring the provision of appropriate facilities.
The planning guidelines on residential density published by my Department in September 1999 indicate that public open space is one of the key elements in defining the quality of the residential environment. The guidelines recommend that the achievement of higher densities must be coupled with a higher standard of residential environment and thus the provision of higher quality communal and public open spaces is of paramount importance. The guidelines recommend that any acceptance of lower quantitative standards of open space must be accompanied by a parallel increase in qualitative standards of open space. The guidelines recommend in respect of higher density developments, that in greenfield sites public open space should be a minimum of 15% of the total site area, and in all other cases it should be a minimum of 10%. Planning authorities have been asked to review and vary their development plans to give full effect to the recommendations and policies contained in the guidelines, where they have not already done so.
The social housing design guidelines published by my Department in September 1999 contain recommendations regarding open space within social housing schemes. They recommend that regard should be had by local authorities to the size of the scheme, the nature of the accommodation being provided, existing open space provision in the area and the requirements of the development plan for the area in deciding on the extent and nature of provision for public open space within a scheme.
Question No. 264 taken with Question No. 148.
