Vol. 529 No. 1
866 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has issued any directive or advice to local authorities regarding the need to incorporate sporting, leisure and-or amenity facilities as part of new housing developments; the way such advice or directives relate to the size of any such new housing developments; the role his Department plays in these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2516/01]
Local authorities are empowered, under the Local Government Act 1994, to provide, operate and maintain parks and open spaces for amenity and recreational purposes. The criteria to be applied to the provision of public open space in housing schemes are a matter for each local authority in accordance with its development plan. When deciding planning applications, a planning authority must have regard to the policies set out in the plan and may attach conditions to permissions requiring the provision of appropriate facilities.
The provision of open spaces, recreational and sports facilities and amenity areas specifically in local authority housing schemes is a matter for the individual housing authorities in the first instance. Local authorities were advised in the new social housing design guidelines issued by my Department in September, 1999 that they should consider ways to facilitate and encourage the provision of services and amenities including parks, playing fields and recreational and leisure facilities. Appropriate facilities of this kind are, on a limited basis, funded as part of the cost of a new housing scheme from my Department's capital allocations.
Funding is also available under my Department's remedial works scheme to assist housing authorities to carry out major essential works of a structural nature to dwellings in designated rundown housing estates. The objective is not only to upgrade the fabric of the dwellings but to improve the living conditions of the tenants. For this reason works of an environmental nature, including certain amenity and recreational facilities, may be included as part of a project where they are considered necessary to support the work undertaken to the dwellings.
