Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 July 2019
351. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the strategic housing developments before An Bord Pleanála in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28311/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of strategic housing developments submitted to An Bord Pleanála; the number of units in each of the applications; the number granted planning permission; the length of time it took for permission to be granted; the number of commencement notices that have been issued for those that were granted permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28384/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 358 together.
The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 provides for new temporary streamlined arrangements to enable planning applications for strategic housing developments (SHD), of 100 housing units or more or student accommodation or shared accommodation developments of 200 bed spaces or more, to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála for determination.
In the period from the new arrangements coming into operation in July 2017 up until 30 May 2019, the Board has received 195 valid pre-application consultation requests in respect of which 162 opinions have already issued. Further to this process, the Board has subsequently received 93 planning applications and has issued decisions in respect of 62 cases to date, all of which were made within the prescribed 16-week decision timeframe.
There have been 11 SHD applications made in respect of developments in Kildare, all of which have been decided. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any case with which a planning authority or the Board is or may be involved.
The 2017 SHD Regulations provide for the publication of a weekly list of applications received and applications determined or otherwise disposed of by the Board in relation to SHD cases. These weekly lists are available to view on the Board's website at http://www.pleanala.ie/.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
