I am pleased to move this important motion, the passing of which will pave the way for the Dublin Docklands Development Authority to prepare a planning scheme for the Grand Canal Basin. For the benefit of Senators I would like to outline the background to this motion and to the operation of the planning scheme approach which has been a central part of the development and regeneration of the Dublin docklands since the great enterprise to renew this part of Dublin commenced in the 1980s.
The draft order which is the subject of this resolution is being made under section 6(3) of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act, 1997. This provides that any order under section 25(1) of that Act – the section under which planning schemes are prepared – shall not be made until both Houses of the Oireachtas have approved a draft of the order. This procedure is required where section 25 planning schemes are being prepared for areas outside the Custom House Docks area. The effect of making a planning scheme for an area is that development within that area which complies with the scheme will be exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission.
While the planning scheme approach was considered appropriate to facilitate in a coherent, integrated and accelerated fashion the development of the Custom House Docks area, a similar approach would not be appropriate for the wider docklands as a whole, and the restricted approach to the application of planning schemes is the rationale behind the section 6 provision. In keeping with the terms of the legislation, the master plan adopted by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority in 1997 identifies just three areas outside the Custom House Docks street area – Sheriff Street, the Poolbeg Peninsula and the Grand Canal Basin – as being suitable for the preparation of planning schemes.
We are also breaking new ground in other ways. At 94 acres, this is the largest area for which a planning scheme has been prepared since redevelopment of the docklands commenced. Unlike the Custom House Docks area which had publicly owned lands, this diverse area includes a significant amount of properties in private ownership. The master plan envisaged this area as being the key to achievement of the plan's objectives on the south side of the Liffey. It is a part of Dublin that has seen little private investment and is relatively isolated, access being an identified problem.
Removing that sense of remoteness from the centre of the city is a priority and the provision of an improved transport infrastructure looms large in the range of objectives as envisaged by the master plan. When I opened the City Quay section of the splendid new linear park on the campshires recently, I was often amazed by the number of people who have been living in Dublin for years or even generations but who have never been to the place where the waters of the Dodder and the Grand Canal meet up with Anna Livia.
This must be addressed in the overall programme which the authority is implementing and the planning process can obviously assist in meeting master plan objectives in this regard. The integrated planning framework of a planning scheme will also provide property owners, residents and business interests with a major, once off opportunity to participate in the social and economic redevelopment of this important and diverse part of Dublin.
A criticism sometimes levelled at planning schemes as they have operated is that they afford a means of bypassing the rigours of the normal planning process and, in particular, recourse to the third party appeal system operated by An Bord Pleanála. That line of argument misses the point. For the reasons I have already mentioned, planning schemes are only appropriate in certain limited circumstances and the authority was mindful of this in developing the master plan. In terms of how people are affected, a planning scheme is based heavily on wide public consultation at all stages before, during and after the draft planning scheme has been prepared, whereas in the normal planning permission process the public can only respond after a planning application has been made. I also stress that if developers so wish they can apply to Dublin Corporation for planning permission in the normal way.
The consultative process also involves the participation of relevant State agencies and Dublin Corporation. Once the scheme has been approved by the Minister, the authority is then in a position to certify the developers' proposals as being compliant with the scheme, thus in effect providing planning permission.
The Grand Canal Basin is the next frontier in so far as implementation of the master plan is concerned and the authority is anxious to press ahead with preparation of the draft planning scheme which has culminated in the draft order before the House. Most of the area fronts the Liffey, the canal or the Dodder. The authority has already prepared and adopted an area action plan for the Grand Canal Docks which has involved considerable consultation with the local communities. In view of my quasi-judicial role in relation to the approval process for planning schemes, I cannot make any comment on the various proposals which the authority has or is developing for the area, but I understand the authority hopes to be in a position to submit the draft scheme for my approval by July next.
The scheme itself must consist of a written statement and a plan indicating how the authority believes the area should be redeveloped. In that context it must address issues such as the nature and extent of the development, the distribution and location of uses, design proposals, transportation proposals and also deal with the development of amenities and the conservation of architectural heritage or other relevant features. The planning scheme has been very much at the heart of the redevelopment of the docklands, providing a coherence and accelerated planning process which has given us many fine buildings and amenities in the redeveloped area. The fact that the IFSC now employs more than 8,500 people is indicative of the success of what has been achieved in the docklands since the 1980s. IFSC 2 is at an advanced stage and will provide much needed commercial office space, which is crucial given the docklands' status as the hub for the financial services industry. Small retail units are also being provided in the Custom House Docks area and there are plans for the development of restaurants in the area, including the campshires.
The former gasworks site on Sir John Rogerson's Quay forms part of the area covered by the draft order. The master plan stated that a planning scheme for the Grand Canal Docks would not be proceeded with until arrangements were agreed for the decontamination of this site. The site is now in the ownership of the authority and I am glad that following receipt of the necessary Environmental Protection Agency licensing and planning permission, preliminary works have commenced on the site. It is expected that remediation works will be completed in two years' time on the first major site.
An important plank in the authority's programme of redevelopment is the provision of social and affordable housing. The master plan envisages the population of the docklands rising by 25,000 over the 15 year period of the programme and has set an ambitious target of 20% of residential units to be allocated to social and affordable housing. The authority is providing approximately 45 houses at East Road and 37 units are also being provided in the IFSC 2 area as part of the residential project being provided by a private developer. These latter units will be managed by the St. Pancras Housing Association. Last year the authority launched an affordable housing scheme aimed at people living in the docklands and this scheme will assist those wishing to purchase units in these and future schemes being provided in the area. The authority will push ahead with its plans for the provision of social and affordable housing and the operation of a planning scheme in the Grand Canal Basin will strengthen the authority's hand in meeting master plan objectives in this important area.
The authority is also pressing ahead with its Saol Scoil approach, which involves the promotion of lifelong learning in the docklands. Implementation of the local labour charter continues to offer real employment opportunities for local people. The DDDA/Reuters Schools Job Placement Programme, the community training workshop at Seville Place and various other community development projects will greatly enhance the range of opportunities for young people in the docklands.
We are creating a docklands development for docklands people. I am frequently told by elected representatives and community groups from the area how attitudes of previously socially marginalised communities have changed, particularly in the area of education and training. People now see a real prospect of making a rewarding and fulfilling life in their own place. We should not understate that achievement and what has been and is being done here gives a lead which others might follow in terms of tackling social marginalisation in a coherent, integrated way by providing jobs and opportunities to better oneself and by helping people to find their career niche based on their aptitudes and capabilities.
Yesterday the Dáil unanimously adopted this resolution and today we take another vital step. It is important for the authority that the Oireachtas backs what it is trying to achieve in the docklands and this can only strengthen and support it in implementing the master plan. I have no hesitation in commending the motion to the House.