COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, February 04, 2016

MOTION NO. 44

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

Motion: Cllr P. Gogarty Cllr L. O’Toole, Cllr G. O’Connell

Amend H11 Objective 2 to read: "To promote new residential development taking account of energy efficiency, prioritising passive house construction standards, as well as renewable energy opportunities, including solar energy where appropriate, in accordance with Part L of the building regulations."

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 consideration of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Planning and Development Amendment Act 2010, the function of A County Development Plan is to support incremental changes to the Building Regulations Part L, national guidelines and other guidance 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 existing and new buildings is sufficiently addressed in Energy (E) Policy 3, Energy (E) Policy 4 and Chapter 11 Implementation, of the Draft Plan. Energy (E) Policy 3 promotes high levels of energy conservation, energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources in existing buildings. 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 prioritise the passive house standard and the inclusion of renewable energy opportunities including solar energy, for all new residential development 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 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.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted