Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 March 2022
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning permissions applied for and refused by county in each of the past three years to date; the way such figures will inform housing policy going forward with particular reference to giving the local population a chance to live in their local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12303/22]
View answerPlanning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/.
The data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority. However, 2021 planning statistics are expected to be published in Q2 2022. It is apparent that almost 9 out of every 10 planning applications made (89%) were granted planning permission in 2020.
Since 2018, the National Planning Framework (NPF) is the national planning policy document providing overall strategic policy for the future development of Ireland through specific National Policy Objectives (NPOs) that support the overall rural and small town pattern of development in Ireland.
In policy terms, NPO 19 of the NPF aims to ensure that a distinction is made between areas experiencing significant overspill development pressure from urban areas, particularly within the commuter catchment of cities, towns and centres of employment, on the one hand, and other remoter and structurally weaker rural areas where population levels may be low and or declining, on the other. NPO 19 is also aligned with the established approach whereby considerations of social (intrinsic part of the community) or economic (persons working full or part time) need may be applied by planning authorities in rural areas under urban influence.
Under the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, which were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing. The Guidelines are available on the Government’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/23809-sustainable-rural-housing-development-guidelines/.
Updated Rural Housing Planning Guidelines are currently being prepared that will continue to allow for the development of homes in rural areas while also highlighting the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns in order to avoid over-development of those areas. Given the complexity of the issues involved, the need for environmental assessment and both internal and external consultation, the updated Rural Housing Guidelines, which are at an advanced stage of drafting, will expand on the high level policy of the NPF and will continue to allow county development plans to provide for rural housing in line with the Guidelines.
Subject to the need for any environmental assessment that may be required such as Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) or Appropriate Assessment (AA), the draft guidelines will be the subject of public consultation. The timeline for publication of the draft guidelines will be dependent on whether “full” SEA or AA of the guidelines are required.
In relation to the granting of permissions by local authorities, in making a decision in respect of an application for planning permission, planning authorities (and An Bord Pleanála in relation to planning appeals) are required to consider such applications in the context of the relevant Development Plan, or Local Area Plan where one exists for the area, as well as any relevant Ministerial Guidelines.
It is noteworthy that there has been strong delivery of single new homes in rural areas nationally in recent years, comprising around one in three of all houses (i.e. excluding apartments), completed in the 5 years between Q4 2016 and Q3 2021.
