Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2023
111. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities have the appropriate sanction through Circular: NRUP 02/2021 to permit lower densities than 30 units per hectare for serviced sites (ready-to-build scheme) on the edges of towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46878/23]
View answer112. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the appropriate density for serviced sites on the edges of towns will typically be lower than a standard greenfield residential development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46879/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.
Section 28 guidelines for planning authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas (the ‘Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines’), were issued in 2009. Section 28 of the Act provides that planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála (ABP) shall have regard to Ministerial guidelines in the performance of their functions under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The provisions of the guidelines apply to all planning decisions made after the guidelines came into force.
Circular Letter: NRUP 02/2021 was issued on 21 April 2021. The Circular sought to provide clarity in relation to the interpretation and application of the Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines with regard to residential densities in towns and villages. The Circular noted that there is a need for more proportionate and tailored approaches to residential development in these locations. This means that it is necessary to adapt the scale, design and layout of housing in towns and villages, to ensure that suburban or high-density urban approaches are not applied uniformly and that development responds appropriately to the character, scale and setting of the town or village.
The Circular refers to the relevant sections of Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines, noting:
o On the edge of Large Towns (those population in excess of 5,000 people) net densities in the 35-50 dwellings per hectare range are generally encouraged. However, net densities of 30-35 dwellings per hectare may be regarded as acceptable in certain large town contexts and net densities of less than 30 dwellings per hectare, although generally discouraged, are not precluded.
o On the edge of towns and villages (those with a population of 400- to 5,000 people), density ranges at the edge of a small town/village may range form 15 - 20 dwellings per hectare, provided such lower density development does not represent more than about 20% of the total new planned housing stock for the particular town/village.
While the principles, approaches and general requirements of the Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines continue to be relevant to the objectives of the National Planning Framework, namely the development of compact, sustainable and liveable settlements, the 2009 Guidelines are in need of review and updating.
‘Draft Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities’ and associated environmental reports were published for a focused period of consultation from 30 August 2023 to 5 October 2023. These guidelines, when finalised, will replace the Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines 2009.
The Draft Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines build on and update current guidance in relation to density. There is no policy distinction made between serviced sites and other types of residential development sites. The draft guidelines specify a density range of 30 to 50 dwellings per hectare at the edge of Large Towns (Regional Growth Centres, Key Towns and Towns with a population of 10,000+) and a density range of 25 to 40 dwellings per hectare at the edge of Small to Medium Sized Towns (1,500 to 10,000 population). There is no stated minimum density for Rural Towns and Villages.
Following a review of all submissions received during the consultation period, and with any subsequent changes made to the draft guidelines, the Sustainable and Compact Settlements Guidelines will be submitted to me for approval to issue under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act (the Act). The Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines 2009 will thereafter be withdrawn.
