Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Planning Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Ceisteanna (348)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

348. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of occasions to date in 2021 that An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission in circumstances in which the relevant local authority had decided to grant permission; the number of residential units refused by An Bord Pleanála to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52207/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An Bord Pleanála was established in 1977 under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976 and is an independent statutory body with responsibility for the determination of planning appeals and direct applications for proposed strategic infrastructure including strategic housing development and other matters under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and certain other Acts.

I wish to explain at the outset that the role of the Minister in relation to the planning system is, primarily, to provide a policy and legislative framework under which the planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála and the Office of the Planning Regulator (the OPR) perform their statutory planning functions. Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, as Minister, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is, or may be concerned.

The day-to-day operation of the planning system is a matter for the planning authorities, and for the Board in relation to direct applications and planning appeals. Under section 143 of the Planning and Development Act, An Bord Pleanála is required to have regard to the policies and objectives of the Government, a state authority, the Minister, planning authorities and any other public authority whose functions have, or may have a bearing on the proper planning and sustainable development of cities towns or other areas, whether urban or rural.

I understand that, as at end September 2021, An Bord Pleanála had received a total of 1,796 normal planning appeals and refused permission in 139 cases where the original decision of the planning authority was to grant permission. A total of 83 of these 139 refusals were classified as residential/new units, the nature of the proposed developments ranging from one off houses to a 98 unit development. The total number of residential units refused was 664, of which 170 were one-off houses.

I wish to advise the Deputy that arrangements have been put in place by each Agency under the remit of my Department, including An Bord Pleanála, to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies directly to members of the Oireachtas. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.

Barr
Roinn