COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SDZ, LAPS AND PLANNING PROJECTS

Friday, January 26, 2018

MOTION NO.17

MOTION: Councillor M. Murphy

The PRTB have confirmed in writing in 2017 that the average tenancy in a private rental property is 2 years and one month or 25 months. That tallies with Research commissioned by the PRTB in 2014 which shows that 73% of those renting privately owned properties intend leaving the sector within 2 years. Analysis of Census 2016 show that there are less than 1,000 children (u18) in the 2331 housing units built in Tallaght Town Centre Town Centre since 1990 where 58% of the units are in the private/rental sector. Contrast that with Adamstown where there are 1101 children (u18) in the 883 housing units built there since 2000 where 28% of the units are in the private/rental sector. Therefore it is imperative for the building of a sustainable and active community that all steps be taken consider when planning to skew the housing provision towards longer term tenure options such as Social & Affordable and this objective to be specifically stated in the plan.

REPORT:

Response

South Dublin County Council as the planning and housing authority for the area is both obligated and mandated to achieve the best possible outcomes in terms of planned, socially integrated housing provision for all of its citizens within the planning scheme. As a major landowner in control of approx. 22% of the land bank within the plan area it is committed to fully utilising this asset together with the statutory obligations imposed by Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) to maximise the distributed provision of social and affordable housing throughout the SDZ area. The distribution will be subject to appropriate master planning, will involve the integrated development off all lands collectively and where it necessitates commensurate land transfers will be subject to council approval. This integrated approach is aligned to the County Development Plan, the council Housing Strategy, national housing and planning policy and sufficiently agile to allow for the incorporation of any new or additional national strategies supportive of affordability.

The Draft Planning Scheme accords with the aspect of the subject motion that seeks the provision of social housing. Until such time as Government Policy on Affordable Housing changes, the inclusion of an objective that promotes Affordable Housing would be inconsistent with Housing Strategy for the County and the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as mended). It is also a requirement of the Planning Authority to promote Built to Rent accommodation.

Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) prescribes the mechanism for delivery of social and affordable housing including the percentage of lands that must be provided for such housing.

In the context that the Affordable Housing Schemes have been stood down under Government Housing Policy (Housing Policy, June 2011 and DECLG Circular 11/2012) the South Dublin County Council Interim Housing Strategy 2016 sets out a prescribed requirement for social housing only. Any subsequent change to Housing Policy in relation to Affordable Housing will, however, be applied to the Interim Housing Strategy and the SDZ Planning Scheme.

Section 168(4) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) states that a draft planning scheme for residential development shall be consistent with the relevant Housing Strategy for the County. Until such time as there is a change in Government Policy on Affordable Housing, the insertion of an objective that promotes Affordable Housing into the SDZ Planning Scheme would be inconsistent with the Interim Housing Strategy and Planning and Development Legislation.

Furthermore, the Draft Update Guidelines and Circular PL 11/2016 (Section 28) also include policy that promotes Build to Rent and Shared Accommodation apartment typologies and it is a requirement under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) for South Dublin County Council to promote Build to Rent accommodation.

The intent of the aspect of the proposed motion that seeks the promotion of social housing has been fulfilled by the Draft Planning Scheme and no amendment to the Planning Scheme is required.

Recommendation

It is recommended that this motion is not adopted.

Strategic Environmental Assessment of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No interaction with Strategic Environmental Objectives.

Appropriate Assessment Screening of Chief Executive’s Recommendation

No likely significant effects on European sites within the SDZ’s zone of influence are predicted.