Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2021

Wednesday, 26 May 2021

Questions (125)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

125. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the May 2021 Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing guidelines for Planning Authorities only apply to houses and duplexes in low density developments; if so, the level at which the density is set; if houses and duplexes in high density densities will be covered by these guidelines; and the way units of accommodation will be treated in cases in which houses, duplexes and apartments are all part of the one physical structure. [28441/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department last week issued guidelines to planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), in relation to the Restriction of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing.

The guidelines define what is meant by a house or duplex unit, for the purposes of the guidance:

a. A house, defined as not including a building designed for use or used as two or more dwellings or a flat, an apartment or other dwelling within such a building,

and,

b. A duplex unit, defined as a dwelling within a building designed for use as two individual dwellings and/or on one shared plot, with separate entrances.

These guidelines apply to all developments with 5 or more houses and/or duplexes, irrespective of density. In the normal course of events, houses, duplexes and apartments are identified at planning application stage as part of any planning application for residential development. This must set out on the application form and all drawings and public notices. The application is then considered by the planning authority and/or An Bord Pleanála and assessed on the merits of the proposal.