Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2023
289. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the need for more compact development of homes to meet population growth in a sustainable manner calls for a change in the way new public facilities are planned, as the planning and delivery of the NDP-type project in transport, health and education fall under the remit of his Department. [3273/23]
View answer290. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the need for more compact development of homes to meet population growth in a sustainable manner calls for a change in the way new public facilities are planned. [2209/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.
My Department is preparing updated guidance for planning authorities to address the need for more compact development of homes to meet population growth in a sustainable manner. Sustainable and compact urban settlement guidelines will be completed for public consultation during Q1 2023 and are intended to replace the current urban development guidelines dating from 2009.
While the form and location of housing development is relevant to and influences the delivery of the NDP-type projects in transport, health and education these projects do not fall directly under the remit of my Department. In preparing planning guidance for urban development, there are clear overlaps with the provision of transport, health and education infrastructure and facilities, in terms of overall provision, location and design, however.
Accordingly, my Department is working bilaterally with the relevant Departments and agencies to ensure that where these and other areas interact with spatial planning and in particular the location and form of housing and planned new housing areas, there are appropriate mechanisms to ensure timely delivery in a planned manner. This requires alignment between plans at local authority and at Agency/ Departmental level, to support 'plan-led' development.
The concept of plan-led development also underpins the new Planning and Development (amendment) Bill, to be published this week. This is to enable planned development to occur in tandem with public investment in transport, health and education.
