I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 403 together.
Section 5.0 of Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities, published by my Department in 2018, addresses the ‘Build-to-Rent’ and ‘Shared Accommodation’ sectors.
Paragraphs 5.13 to 5.24 of the Sustainable Urban Housing document, including Specific Planning Policy Requirement (SPPR) 9, provide guidance and policy in respect of ‘Shared Accommodation Developments’, also known as ‘Co-living’.
I have been clear in my intention to review the provisions for Co-living set out in the Sustainable Urban Housing guidelines. It is also the case that paragraph 5.24 of the guidance commits my Department to monitor the emerging shared accommodation sector, with a view to issuing further technical updates of the Sustainable Urban Housing guidelines document, given the relatively new nature of this form of accommodation.
Accordingly, I have instructed senior officials in my Department to review Paragraphs 5.13 to 5.24 of the Sustainable Urban Housing document. This work includes analysis of development proposals for co-living that have come forward since publication of the guidelines and in particular, how such proposals compare to apartment development standards generally. My officials will report within the coming weeks and this input will assist in informing my ultimate decision in respect of the matter.