Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, was commenced on 1 November 2000. In accordance with section 94 of the Act, each planning authority was required to prepare a housing strategy by the end of July 2001 and vary its development plan to incorporate the strategy. Variations to the development plans took place up to early 2002. The social and affordable housing conditions could only be applied to planning applications made after the strategies had been incorporated into the development plans.
In 2002, a total of 46 affordable dwellings as provided under Part V agreements; however, details of the site area required for these units is not retained in my Department. Preliminary returns from local authorities indicate that 13 affordable dwellings as provided in the first quarter of 2003. It is understood that many local authorities are actively engaged in Part V pre-planning discussions-negotiations. While specific details are not available at this stage, it is expected that output this year will be greatly increased.
Question No. 123 answered with Question No. 108.
