Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015
541. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that the term, "small scale development", as used in the Guidelines on Development Levies issued in January 2013 to local authorities includes authorised residential extensions. [10365/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2013, my Department issued statutory guidelines to planning authorities in relation to development contributions. These guidelines emphasise the importance of promoting development through the application, where feasible, of reduced development contributions to facilitate development and promote economic activity and job creation in local areas. With regard to small-scale development, the guidelines state that “authorities should also ensure that their schemes distinguish proportionately between large and small-scale.” However, the use of the term “small scale development” in the guidelines is specific to the construction of off-grid renewable energy development and does not encompass the type of small scale development referred to in the Question.
Under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to these guidelines in the performance of their functions. However, it is ultimately a matter for the elected members to decide on the level of development contributions and the types of developments to which such contributions will apply.
