Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2017
168. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 22 acres of land which was a flood plain was rezoned for housing (details supplied) in Bettystown, County Meath, in 2005. [24832/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra169. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the mechanisms in place for the residents of a development (details supplied) should they be victims in the event of flooding, in view of the fact that the land was rezoned and planning permission was granted for the construction of the development. [24833/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if there are avenues open for recompense for residents of adjacent housing that experience an increase in flooding due to the construction of a development (details supplied). [24835/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 170, inclusive, together.
The decision as to whether to grant planning permission in any particular case is a matter for the relevant planning authority in the first instance and for An Bord Pleanála in the event of an appeal.
In making decisions on planning applications, planning authorities and the Board must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received and relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including current guidelines issued by my Department under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).
In November 2009, my Department issued Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management which are aimed at ensuring a more consistent, rigorous and systematic approach to flood risk identification, assessment and management within the planning system. These Guidelines provide, inter alia, that development in areas at risk of flooding, particularly flood plains, should be avoided, unless there are wider sustainability grounds that justify appropriate development and where the risk can be reduced or managed to an acceptable level. The Guidelines were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard to them in the performance of their functions.
With regard to the Deputy's question, Meath County Council has indicated that an objective to develop the lands in question for housing was included in the East Meath Local Area Plan in 2005. Moreover, when residential development of the subject lands was initially approved in 2009, a site specific flood risk assessment was submitted, which concluded that the proposed development was not deemed to be at significant risk of flooding from the adjacent river catchment or any of its tributaries. This assessment was fully considered by the planning authority, whose decision would have been open to full public scrutiny.
