Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2007
186 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he proposes to finalise new guidelines on the design and quality of apartments here to reflect the needs of a more diverse population; and his objectives for such guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7486/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraDraft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Design Standards for Apartments were published by my Department for public consultation on 9 January 2007, with a closing date for comments and submissions of 5 March 2007. Following consideration of the comments and submissions received, it is intended to finalise the guidelines for publication as soon as possible thereafter.
The primary aim of the draft Guidelines is to promote sustainable urban housing by ensuring that the design and layout of new apartments will provide satisfactory accommodation for a variety of household types and sizes — including families with children — over the medium to long term. The new guidelines will form part of a suite of guidance being prepared by the Department within a wider housing/planning context, which will also include:
new draft sustainable residential development guidelines which will incorporate a revision of the 1999 residential density guidelines;
a new best practice handbook on urban design and housing layouts which will illustrate, with examples drawn from current practice, how the policies set out in the planning guidelines might be implemented; and
a revision of the 1999 Social Housing Design Guidelines.
The final guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. This will require planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to have regard to them in the performance of their functions. However, pending finalisation of the guidelines, planning authorities are being requested to have regard to the recommended standards for new apartment schemes, when preparing or varying development plans and local area plans, particularly when their current plans incorporate older standards.
