COMHAIRLE CHONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE 1

Monday, May 15, 2006

MOTION 4

MOTION: Cllr. Caitríona Jones

"That this committee calls for a more integrated approach to the locating of affordable housing units within developments"

REPORT

The Council's Housing Strategy, which was prepared in accordance with Part V of the Planning & Development Act 2000, was adopted by the Council at its meeting held on 11th June, 2001.  This Strategy was reviewed and now forms an integral part of the County Development Plan 2004-2010. which was adopted by the Council on 10th November, 2004.

The strategy requires 15% of all new residential developments throughout the county  to be reserved for Social/Affordable housing purposes.  The Council has been successful in the delivery of affordable housing under the following initiatives:

(a)  Part V of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended).

(b)  Joint Venture Schemes.

(c)  Integrated Area Plans.

To date 406 affordable units have been procured throughout the County.

It is also planned to provide an additional 1,000 affordable housing units countywide under the Sustaining Progress Agreement - Affordable Housing Initiative during the period of the Strategy.  To date the Council has acquired 193 units under this initiative.

In developing a local policy in keeping with Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) the Housing Stratety sets out that different "preferred options" can be developed, e.g. depending on type of planning application submitted, size of proposed development, need for social and affordable housing in the particular area, requirement for specific needs housing etc. and that the Planning Authorities should be as flexible as possible with a view to negotiating the best deal from their point of view and which is in line with their housing strategy.

The Council's preference is for those units acquired for affordalbe housing to be dispersed throughout developments in the interest of social inclusion.  It should be noted that the Council's preference is for 2 bedroom units and the layout of some developments may tend to locate the 2 bedroom units in the development in the same site area.  In the case of sheltered housing the optimum location is to have all units located together at the core of the development close to all amenities. 

Overall, the negotiations on securing Part V agreements take into account the legislative requirements, existing mix in an area, the best interests of the wider area, estate management issues and capacity to supply the tenure.