Vol. 526 No. 5
93 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will issue any new guidelines to local authorities regarding the issuing of planning permission for developments in flood plains or other areas prone to flooding, having regard to the serious damage caused to many houses as a result of the recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27102/00]
The Planning and Development Act, 2000, which was enacted on 28 August 2000, specifically empowers planning authorities to provide in their local development plans that development in areas at risk of flooding may be regulated, restricted or controlled. A planning authority will in future be able to designate areas as flood-risk areas, and if development is proposed in these areas, the risk of the development being flooded can be carefully evaluated and planning permission refused, if necessary. The provisions on development plans in the Planning Act will come into force on 1 January 2001. The importance of these provisions, particularly in light of recent events, will be brought to the attention of planning authorities in guidance notes to be issued shortly on the provisions of the Act.
