Vol. 557 No. 2
269 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the present regulations in the planning laws which allow only two years to use the planning permission agreed; and his further views on whether, especially in rural and small town areas, uptake on housing may not justify the development of the full proposal within the two years allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21783/02]
270 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he proposes to change the planning laws regarding the 20% social housing stipulation at present in force on planning applications for housing development; if he has satisfied himself that this proposal is working in a beneficial way towards social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21784/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, introduced a two-year limit on a planning permission granted on foot of an application made after publication of the Planning Bill – August 1999 – and prior to incorporation of the housing strategy in the relevant development plan. The reason for its inclusion was to prevent developers stockpiling planning permissions which would not be subject to the requirement to reserve land or houses for social and affordable housing.
An Agreed Programme for Government indicates that to minimise disruption to housing supply where planning reapplications are necessary because of the two-year rule, set maximum application and appeals timings will apply. In addition, the programme promises to review the operation of Part V to ensure that it is meeting its objectives in relation to social and affordable housing. The review of Part V promised in An Agreed Programme for Government and conducted by my Department in consultation with the major stakeholders is now almost complete. All the issues raised will be fully considered, and I intend to report back to Government very shortly on the outcome of the review.
