Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Local Authority Development Plans.

Arthur Morgan

Ceist:

643 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the measures he intends to take to increase the amount of green space, public parks and playgrounds within urban environments in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24926/03]

The provision of green space, public parks and playgrounds within the urban environments in its functional area is a matter for each planning authority to progress in accordance with its development plan, which must include objectives for the preservation, improvement and extension of amenities and recreational amenities. When deciding on 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 planning guidelines on residential density published by my Department in September 1999 indicate that public open space is one of the key elements in defining the quality of the urban environment. The guidelines recommend that the achievement of higher densities must be coupled with a higher standard of residential environment. The provision of higher quality communal and public open spaces is therefore highly important. The guidelines recommend that any acceptance of lower quantitative standards of open space must be accompanied by a parallel increase in qualitative standards of open space. The guidelines recommend, in respect of higher density developments, that in greenfield sites public open space should be a minimum of 15% of the total site area and, in all other cases, it should be a minimum of 10%.

With regard to social housing provision local authorities have been advised in the social housing design guidelines issued by the 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 an agreed basis, funded as part of the cost of a new housing scheme from the Department's capital allocations.

Funding is also available under the 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.

Barr
Roinn