The Planning and Development Bill 2023 was published in November 2023 and has been subject to intensive stakeholder engagement as part of the Planning Advisory Forum as well as an extensive pre-legislative scrutiny process in the Oireachtas. As one of the largest and most complex pieces of legislation in the history of the State, the Bill has been continuously reviewed by the Department, in liaison with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to ensure it fully delivers the best possible legislative footing for the Irish planning system into the future. The change proposed by Amendment 605 is solely as a result of this ongoing process. I can confirm once again that I have not met with the company referred to in order to discuss this matter. The amendment in question is intended to support the plan-led approach whereby matters related to housing numbers, estimated capacity and zoning are determined by planning authorities at the development plan stage, but with an appropriate and proportionate element of flexibility that may be applied in line with statutory guidance. This flexibility is important to deliver the housing that the Country needs for a growing population. In other words, under the Amendment, when a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanála is considering an application for planning permission for development on zoned housing land, it does not further consider housing numbers and allows it to operate in a manner that does not restrict permissible housing development on zoned land. This is necessary as there may be circumstances where there may be planned, but as yet un-commenced permissions for development – and these will not now serve to restrict the progression of other schemes that may commence within the relevant development plan period.
It is therefore an entirely appropriate Amendment to facilitate the pipeline of housing delivery. I have agreed, further to the Select Committee process, to look at the wording of the amendment to clarify that a planning authority or An Coimisiún Pleanála cannot refuse permission solely on the basis of the housing growth target for an area has been reached. The amendment does not prevent a decision being refused for other reasons as well, such as insufficient capacity in local infrastructure or services or other environmental matters. A further amendment may be brought at report stage to clarify this point, if needed. This Amendment also permits development where efficiencies in land use may have been achieved in accordance with compact growth policies, or where a local plan may further detail what may be permissible on zoned land, in accordance with a City or County development plan.
In the interest of clarity and transparency, my special adviser as part of his core duties regularly engages with stakeholders from across the housing system. Meetings with a wide array of organisations are an important, legitimate and valid part of that role. Meetings were held with the organisation on June 21st, September 18th, October 9th of 2023 and January 30th and February 14th of 2024. As a Designated Public Official meetings were conducted in accordance with the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. This information and the issues raised is publicly available on www.lobbying.ie. Discussions encompassed broader housing system issues, the role of the LDA in increasing housing supply and government housing policy. It is noted that under Section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, the Minister is precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.
Question No. 655 answered with Question No. 654.
