Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2015
30. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to ensure that housing estates are taken in charge by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15552/15]
View answerSection 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides, in relation to estates which have been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority in accordance with the relevant planning permission, that the planning authority must if requested to do so by the developer, or by the majority of the owners of the houses involved, initiate the procedures for taking the estate in charge. In relation to estates which have not been completed to the satisfaction of the planning authority and enforcement proceedings have not been commenced within seven years of the expiration of the planning permission relating to the development, section 180 also provides that the planning authority must, if requested to do so by the majority of the owners of the housing units, initiate the taking in charge procedures.
My Department is currently reviewing, in the context of the forthcoming Planning and Development (No. 2) Bill, the section 180 provisions in relation to the taking in charge of housing estates with a view to improving and streamlining the relevant procedures. A particular focus of the review will be the time limits for the taking in charge of housing estates and my Department will consult with planning authorities in this regard. The timeframe for progressing the Planning and Development (No.2) Bill is to have it published by the Summer recess, with a view to having it enacted by the end of the year.
