Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 March 2023
217. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he supports the continued reservation of land by local authorities for communities to use for cultivation as allotments; the measures he proposes to take to support allotments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10757/23]
View answerThe provision of allotments is addressed within the Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (2009), issued as Ministerial Guidance within the meaning of Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended). Section 4.18 - Recommended Qualitative Standards – refer to the need for a focus on the quality of public open space and the activities which take place therein in addition to addressing the reasonable expectations of users. This includes the consideration of allotments and community gardens, noting that they are of particular value in higher density areas. Local authorities must ‘have regard’ to these Section 28 Guidelines when carrying out their strategic planning or development management functions.
In terms of planning, providing, enabling and supporting allotments, legislation is in place in the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Local Government Act 2000 (as amended) to identify locations in development plans for allotment development, and to establish allotments as a part of local government’s role in promoting the interests of local communities. Identifying land for allotment development in a development plan is a reserved function of the elected members in considering and making the plan, while the provision of allotment or similar facilities on local authority land is a matter for each individual local authority including their elected members and is subject to availability of resources and community inputs and support for such proposals.
A framework for provision of allotments or community gardens by local authorities and other interested parties is contained in existing legislation and guidance.
The Draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 was published in January and a final Bill will be published once pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Bill has concluded. The final Bill will then proceed to the Houses of the Oireachtas with the intention that it will be enacted by this summer, subject to the Oireachtas schedule. There are some further changes to be made to the draft Bill before the final Bill is published and I can confirm that allotments will be provided for in the final Bill, in line with existing provisions.
