An Taisce notes today's release of ‘Rebuilding Ireland’, Simon Coveney T.D’s, Minister of Housing, Planning and Local Government, housing and homelessness action plan. An Taisce believes there are a number of unnecessary proposed changes to planning laws and procedures.

1. Further extension of planning permission for developments already granted an extension of time. There is currently no shortage of zoned land with full planning permission, and before the financial crash there was clearly excessive zoning which led to houses being built in the wrong places. It should be noted that according to the document there is permission in place for 27,000 residential units in Dublin alone

2. Direct application to An Bord Pleanála of applications with 100 plus units and providing that the Board to determine these new applications within and 18 week period. There is no evidence that An Bord Pleanála is holding up development. The Board already have a procedure to expedite housing applications. Furthermore, a high proportion of appeals to the Board are developers appealing against local authority financial contributions. Expecting the Board to determine new applications within and 18 week period does not address the high level of issues for provision of further information that are likely to arise.

3. Planning exemption for conversion of upper floors of commercial buildings for residential use and such being subject to compliance with building regulations. An Taisce is very supportive of such conversions but there is no mention of Protected Structures which would have to be excluded from this measure.

ENDS

Ian Lumley, Heritage Officer, An Taisce Tel: +353 1 454 1786
Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications, An Taisce Tel: +353 87 241 1995
email: [email protected]
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland
www.antaisce.org