Construction BUSINESS

In a bid to enhance the quality and diversity of housing while promoting sustainable urban development, the Irish Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell TD, have unveiled the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities.

These guidelines, issued to local authorities after a comprehensive public consultation in 2023, aim to create more attractive, liveable, and well-designed urban areas while addressing the evolving housing needs of a diverse and growing population. The initiative aligns with the broader objectives outlined in the National Planning Framework, focusing on compact growth and sustainable living spaces.

Minister Darragh O’Brien emphasized the timeliness of the guidelines, stating, “While progress continues to be made on housing delivery, the greater flexibility offered by these guidelines will help in achieving our aim of providing a broader range of housing options to meet the needs of a growing and more diverse population.”

The guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for Planning Authorities, focusing on the interaction between residential density, housing standards, and urban design. Key points highlighted include:

1. Tailored Density Ranges: The guidelines propose density ranges that respond to settlement size, distinguishing between cities, large towns, and small to medium-sized towns. They also take into account the specific locality within each settlement, categorizing them as central, urban, suburban, or edge areas.
2. Strategic Urban Development: Emphasizing the importance of compact and sustainable urban development, the guidelines advocate for very high residential densities in central and accessible urban locations. However, it specifies that such high densities should be developed on a plan-led basis only.
3. Flexibility in Design Standards: To encourage a diverse housing landscape, the guidelines introduce greater flexibility in design standards. This includes variations in building separation distances and open space standards, aiming to support the construction of more compact ‘own-door’ housing alongside traditional housing and apartment developments.

Minister Kieran O’Donnell underscored the significance of these guidelines in meeting national obligations related to environmental protection and the transition toward net-zero emissions by 2050. “The Guidelines also respond to our national obligations under European Directives and international agreements relating to the management and protection of the environment and biodiversity,” he said.

Issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, these guidelines provide Planning Authorities and An Bord Pleanála with a structured approach to achieving sustainable residential development. Compliance with Ministerial guidelines is mandatory, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering innovative and environmentally responsible urban spaces.

Source: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/5a9b7-minister-obrien-and-minister-odonnell-issue-new-housing-design-guidelines/#