Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004
67 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the changes he is considering in the way local authorities deal with planning applications, particularly one off housing applications in regard to his announcement of 25 October 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32687/04]
View answer86 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the guidelines on one off rural housing will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32613/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 86 together.
Draft regulations have been published by my Department which contain a range of measures to further streamline the planning application process. In particular, a standard planning application form is proposed for use by all planning authorities. My Department is now considering submissions received on these draft regulations I have also recently launched a task force on e-planning which will recommend on measures necessary to facilitate the development of services to enable the public to interact with the planning system online. This interaction should include the online submission of planning applications and appeals to all planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála, in parallel with the existing paper system, by the end of 2007. Finally, the principal thrust of the new development management guidelines currently being prepared in my Department is improved and consistent procedures and practices in dealing with planning applications, in order to provide a better service for the public.
As regards one off housing applications, draft guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing were published on 4 March 2004 for public consultation to give all those interested an opportunity to comment before the guidelines are finalised in statutory form. Submissions as regards the draft guidelines were to be submitted to the Department by 30 April 2004. In view of the importance of the rural housing issue, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála were requested to have regard to the draft guidelines with effect from their date of publication. The guidelines are a material consideration both in respect of development plans and in the consideration of planning applications.
Planning authorities are required to review and vary their development plans, where necessary, to ensure that their policies on rural settlement are consistent with the policies set out in the guidelines and to deal with individual planning applications on the basis recommended in the guidelines.
A total of 105 submissions as regards the draft guidelines were received by the Department from interested organisations and individuals. The submissions have been examined in detail and I intend to carefully consider many suggestions that have been put forward for clarifying or improving the guidelines before they are finalised.
It is my intention that the guidelines will be issued in statutory form, shortly. The guidelines will then have the status of ministerial planning guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to which planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála must have regard when exercising their planning functions.
