Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
312 Mr. S. Power asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of submissions received following the publication of draft guidelines in relation to one-off houses; when he expects to publish the final guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20625/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with normal practice, the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing, published on 4 March 2004, were issued in draft form to give all those interested an opportunity to comment before the guidelines were finalised in statutory form. Submissions on the draft guidelines were to be submitted to my Department by 30 April 2004. A total of 105 submissions on the draft guidelines have been received by my Department from interested organisations and individuals. The submissions are currently being examined in detail by my Department. I intend to consider carefully any suggestions for clarifying or improving the guidelines before they are finalised. I expect the guidelines will be issued in their final statutory form before the end of this year.
However, in view of the importance of the rural housing issue and the fact that there has already been extensive opportunity for public debate, I have requested planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to have regard to the draft guidelines with effect from their date of publication. The guidelines are a material consideration for development plans and in the consideration of planning applications. Planning authorities are required to review and vary their development plans, where necessary, to ensure that their policies on rural settlement are consistent with the policies set out in the guidelines.
