andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment if any estimate has been made of the acreage of agricultural land lost to urban development in the last ten years; if planning authorities should seek to minimise the urbanisation of prime agricultural land where other options exist; if he will issue guidelines on the matter; and if any study has been undertaken in this regard.
Written Answers. - Urbanisation of Agricultural Land.
155.
Information on the lines referred to by the Deputy is not available in my Department.
Responsibility for the operation of planning control in their areas is a matter for each planning authority concerned. It is a matter for each authority to decide on the lands required for new development having regard to the needs and potential of their areas. The policies and specific objectives of planning authorities for the promotion and control of development in their areas are outlined in their development plans. Objectives to be included in such plans regarding the lands to be reserved for development and those to be preserved free of building development are entirely a matter for decision by each planning authority concerned subject to compliance with requirements of the Acts regarding public notice etc.
Consideration is currently being given to the issue to planning authorities of guidelines to assist them in the making of development plans. The question of issuing advice on this matter will be considered in conjunction with the preparation of such guidelines.
Apart from a short article published in a journal of An Foras Talúntais in April last I am not aware of any studies undertaken in this country on the subject.