andMr. Fitzsimons asked the Minister for the Environment if he will state in respect of the charges for planning applications and appeals: (a) the estimated revenue; (b) whether local authorities will retain the revenue; and if he will make a statement on these matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Applications and Appeals.
20.
It is estimated that planning application fees will yield about £5.5 million in 1983 and that appeal fees will yield about £100,000. All moneys raised by planning application fees will accrue to the planning authority concerned.
Would the Minister of State say from when these charges will be effective or come into operation?
They will come in from 7 March for planning applications and a month later for appeals.
Is the Minister aware, as I have no doubt he is as far as Dublin by-laws of both city and county are concerned, that some planning applications would apply only to by-laws? In that case will charges be related to by-law applications?
I am not sure that I understand the Deputy's question.
For a certain square footage only by-law approval is required.
No, the fees related only to planning permission. Applications for house extensions, for by-law approval, will not be covered by planning fees regulations if they are under the exempted floor areas.
In relation to extensive planning applications for housing or industrial developments where it may be necessary after consultation with the architects or developers to withdraw the original application and re-submit, will there be an additional charge?
There is a charge for each separate planning application lodged with a planning authority but where an application is made following an earlier one substantial discounts are provided for in the details of the scheme.
Is £30 to be charged for an application for one house?
That is correct.
I would have thought that commercial and industrial developments would have been a much fairer target than young married couples endeavouring to build a house. Is the charge of £30 not somewhat excessive?
Presumably there will be an opportunity for debate on these regulations and, if not, I am sure one can be created. It would not be appropriate to have an extensive debate on the regulations now.
While there is nothing wrong with the local authority trying to raise money through the planning applications, my view is that it would be far better to raise it through applications for housing, commercial and industrial developments rather than single house applications.
The point the Chair is making is that it would be more appropriate for a debate.
Would the Minister not consider that the charges could be regarded as too expensive in regard to one house applications? Would the Minister not consider that the charge should be made only when an application is successful or when an appeal is successful? A person who fails to get planning permission should not have to pay for that privilege.
I appreciate the sentiments expressed by Deputy Blaney. However, nationwide the average cost of a new house is £35,000 and in our view a charge of £30 for each house application is not excessive. It does not in any way cover the cost of administration. An extension will not be built for less than £3,000 or £4,000 and a charge of £15 is not excessive. Even allowing for people building their own houses and a certain degree of co-operative construction in rural areas, a new house will still cost between £15,000 and £20,000. We spent a long time considering this matter and do not feel that a charge of £30 is excessive but I would say——
Surely we are debating these regulations without seeing them. Question No. 21.
The Minister of State has said that the money which will be raised will be left with the local authorities. Will he state whether this will be additional money for them or will it be deducted from the moneys normally advanced to local authorities by the Department of the Environment?
It will be additional money.