COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, February 04, 2016

MOTION NO. 217

MOTION: Councillor F.N. Duffy

Page 165 – Include in 10.2.2 - SDCC require the passive house standard or equivalent for all new build in the county.

REPORT:

The energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements for the construction of new residential and non-residential buildings are currently addressed in the Building Regulations Part L (2008 and 2011) and relevant national policy and guidelines.

In the context of the Planning and Development Act 2000 2015 (as amended) it is considered that the function of County Development Plan policies and objectives in this regard, is to support incremental changes to the Building Regulations Part L, national guidelines and other guidance, that may occur over the lifetime of the Development Plan, without duplicating or introducing specific requirements on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies that may conflict with or impede the implementation of the Building Regulations on any specific site for development.

It is recommended that the Draft Plan 2016-2022 policies and objectives continue to support any future changes to the Building Regulations and national guidance, such as for example, Towards Nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland: Planning for 2020 and Beyond, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, (2012).

Having regard to the above, it is considered that the energy performance of new buildings is sufficiently addressed in Energy (E) Policy 4 and Chapter 11 Implementation, of the Draft Plan. Under Energy (E) Policy 4, the Council aims to ensure that all new development is designed to take account of the impacts of climate change, and that energy efficiency and renewable energy measures are considered in accordance with national building regulations, policy and guidelines. As such, it is considered that the Draft Plan adequately addresses the energy performance of existing and new buildings in South Dublin County.

In consideration of the motion proposal to require the passive house standard or equivalent for all new build in the County, attention is drawn to the letter from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the Chief Executives of the Dublin local authorities in June 2015. This letter has regard to the delivery of residential developments in the Dublin area and the role of Development Plan policy. In particular, the letter states:

‘Viability of new development and therefore supply, will be placed at risk by insertion of unreasonable or excessive requirements in relation to the standard of housing or ancillary services and facilities that, in turn, impact adversely on the economic viability of commercial investment in and deliverability of new housing development over the plan period’.

Having regard to contents of the Minister’s letter and the other issues raised above, it is considered that the inclusion of this motion would impact negatively on the cost and timely delivery of residential development in South Dublin County and would impede with the implementation of the Building Regulations Part L on individual sites for development across the County. Furthermore, it is noted that Passive House is a trademark and not a recognised design standard that should be made mandatory over and in place of, the existing Building Regulations in Ireland. 

Recommendation
It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.