Vol. 453 No. 8
52 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make it obligatory for local authorities to provide public parks, playing fields and play grounds when new housing estates are being planned; and if he will draw up plans to create such facilities in existing housing estates where very few facilities exist. [9993/95]
It is a matter for planning authorities to set out policy in their development plans for the provision of public open space in new housing estates. When deciding planning applications, the planning authority must have regard to the policies set out in the plan and may attach conditions to planning permissions requiring the provision of appropriate facilities in any new housing estate. These are matters best left to local discretion and I have no plans to change existing arrangements in the matter.
The planning, design, location and construction of local authority housing schemes and the provision of amenities in conjunction with such schemes are matters for the individual housing authorities. However, housing authorities have been advised in guidelines issued by my Department that, in preparing lay-outs for their housing schemes, they should ensure that new housing comprises smaller well designed schemes, integrated as far as possible with housing and other development in the area and providing a good living environment for residents, convenient to all important services and amenities.
Funding is available under my Department's remedial works scheme to assist local authorities in carrying out major structural works to "low-cost" and pre 1940 dwellings and run-down urban estates. Works of an environmental-landscaping nature, such as the upgrading of existing amenity areas, may be included under the scheme where they are considered necessary to support the works undertaken to the dwellings.
