I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 552 together.
The planning arrangements in respect of Strategic Housing Developments (SHDs) - allowing planning applications in respect of such developments to be submitted directly to An Bord Pleanala - were introduced under the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016. These arrangements have now been replaced by revised arrangements in respect of Large-scale Residential Developments (LRDs) introduced under the Planning and Development (Amendment) (Large-scale Residential Development) Act 2021 which restore the two-stage planning process in respect of such developments, with decision making returning to the local planning authority in the first instance, with the subsequent right of appeal to An Bord Pleanála (the Board), thereby delivering on commitments in the Programme for Government as well as Housing for All.
The first SHD applications were received in 2018. From the commencement of the SHD arrangements until end November 2022, the Board received 530 SHD applications as follows:
- 2018- 39
- 2019- 119
- 2020- 112
- 2021- 119
- 2022- 127
No SHD applications were received for Cavan County.
It should be noted that arrangements have been put in place by each Agency under the remit of the Department, including An Bord Pleanála, to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.