Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2010
188 Deputy Jimmy Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to extend the expiry date of planning approvals from five years to seven years in view of the current economic climate and the inability of approved applicants to get the finance to commence construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8318/10]
View answerAs stated in the reply to Question No. 578 of 9 February 2010, Section 42 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2009 currently provides that the duration of a planning permission may be extended, subject to certain conditions, where substantial works have been carried out before the expiration of the original permission.
The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill provides for amending section 42 to allow, subject to certain conditions, for the possibility of an extension of permission for a period of up to 5 years, in circumstances where substantial works have not been carried out, but there are commercial, economic or technical considerations, beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially militated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works. It is intended that this new provision should apply to applications for extension of permission received after the commencement of the said provision following the enactment of the Bill.
