COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 75

MOTION: Councillor C. Brophy

That  it is the policy of this Council not to promote the widespread division of the existing housing stock in the county

Co Sponsor Cllr. William Lavelle

REPORT:

Response

Provision under Current Development Plan 2010 - 2016

The South Dublin County Council Development Plan (2010 – 2016) already provides for the subdivision of existing dwellings under Sections 1.2.33 and 1.2.34. Policy H19 of the current Plan states that the subdivision of houses into a number of units is acceptable in on large sites in suburban areas where populations are generally falling and which are well served by public transport. The Draft County Development Plan generally reiterates the current policy.

Population Decline, Housing Need & Housing Affordability

The Pre-Draft Public Consultation Background Issues Papers identify that the population of communities in the established areas of the County have either stagnated or are declining and that the remaining communities are growing older. Such demographic changes are known to adversely impact on the viability of existing physical and community services, facilities and infrastructure including schools, community centres, public transport and shops.

Furthermore, the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010 – 2022 and the latest CSO Regional Population Projections project significant population growth for the County and identify a need for between 32,132 and 39,649 additional homes within the County during the lifetime of the Draft County Development Plan. The Regional Planning Guidelines and the Core Strategy seek to direct such housing growth into the Metropolitan Consolidation Area and Consolidation Towns in order to counteract unsustainable growth patterns and unsustainable commuting patterns, make efficient use of finite land resources and support existing services and facilities.

The recent letters to the four Dublin Planning Authorities from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Minister for Housing, Planning and Co-ordination of Construction 2020 (10th June 2015) also advise that the availability and affordability of housing is a key planning issue facing Dublin.

Limited subdivision of large houses in established areas will help to address population decline, housing need and housing affordability while supporting the viability of existing physical and community services and infrastructure.

Safeguards

Policy H17 Objective 2 of the Draft Plan would only allow for the subdivision of large sites within established areas. Such housing subdivision would be subject to the safeguards and standards set out under Chapter 2 Housing and Chapter 11 Implementation including those that relate to:

-          Residential consolidation – dwelling subdivision

-          Minimum floorspace standards

-          Minimum private open space standards

-          Car parking

-          Privacy

-          Architectural Conservation Areas

-          Protected Structures

The above standards will limit the circumstances in which housing sub-division can occur and will also help to ensure that, where such development does occur, that it is carried out to a high standard and in an appropriate manner.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.