Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2010

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

Ceisteanna (423)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

459 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in the context of the Planning and Development Bill 2009, it is proposed to extend the periods of planning permissions which have been granted, and where the particular development works have not commenced by the end of the expiry period for the said permissions due to the non availability of finance or the ill health of the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Deputy Ciarán Cuffe)

The Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill, published in June 2009, provides an amendment to section 42 of the Planning and Development Acts, which currently provides that the duration of a planning permission must be extended, subject to certain conditions, where substantial works have been carried out before the expiration of the original permission.

The proposed amendment provides for the extension of permission (for a period of up to 5 years) in circumstances where substantial works have not been carried out, but there are commercial, economic or technical considerations, beyond the control of the applicant, which substantially militated against either the commencement of development or the carrying out of substantial works.