On 7 December 2018, I issued ’Urban Development and Building Height’ Guidelines for Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála, pursuant to Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Publication of the guidelines, which were called for widely in the wider planning and development sector, followed a period of public consultation and consideration of over 100 submissions and a thorough assessment by my Department.
The development of the guidelines specifically addressed their application to areas covered by Strategic Development Zone Planning Schemes, and therefore the SDZ aspects were fully considered. SDZs can be reviewed at any stage by their respective development agencies to reflect changing implementation and policy circumstances and development agencies frequently go through these review mechanisms.
Accordingly, I do not anticipate significant delays in SDZ implementation as a result of these guidelines which are also focused on securing the best strategic planning outcomes for generations to come as well as addressing issues of a more immediate nature.
The guidelines build upon the strategic policy framework set out in Project Ireland 2040 and the National Planning Framework. In particular the guidelines:
- develop policy outlined in the National Planning Framework, in particular National Policy Objectives 1 and 13;
- outline wider and strategic policy considerations and performance criteria that planning authorities should apply, alongside their statutory development plans, in assessing proposals for taller buildings; and
- support the accommodation of anticipated population growth and development needs, whether for housing, employment or other purposes, by building up and consolidating the development of our existing urban areas.
A copy of the Guidelines and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Statement, are available on my Department’s website at the following links:
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/urban_development_and_building_height_guidelines_for_planning_authorities_december_2018_0.pdf and
https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/final_sea_statement.pdf
The SEA Statement has been prepared as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Guidelines in accordance with the relevant national and EU legislation. This document provides information on the decision-making process and records how environmental considerations have been integrated into the Guidelines. Furthermore it summarises how the SEA environmental report and submissions and observations made by the public and designated statutory consultees have been taken into account during the preparation of the Guidelines.
In determining planning policy and making planning decisions around appropriate building heights, the planning process has to strike a careful balance between on the one hand enabling long-term and strategic development of relevant areas, while ensuring the highest standards of urban design, architectural quality and place-making outcomes on the other. I am satisfied that these guidelines are necessary and appropriate to give clear context and direction to the overall requirement to promote increased density and building height in appropriate locations within our urban centres.
