It should be noted that Airton Rise is a private residential development. The management, operation and allocation of parking spaces within the development are matters for the developer and/or the Owners' Management Company (OMC) or other management entity established for the development. The Council does not have a direct role in the day-to-day management of privately owned parking areas within private developments.

In considering this matter, it is important to outline the remit of the local authority in relation to planning. The Council's role is to assess planning applications and determine them in accordance with the Planning and Development Acts and associated regulations. Once planning permission has been granted and a development is constructed in accordance with the approved plans and conditions of permission, the Council's powers to intervene in the operation and management of private lands are limited. While the Planning Authority can take enforcement action where development is not carried out in accordance with a planning permission or where there is an unauthorised development, it generally has no power to require changes to parking layouts, allocations or management arrangements within a private development where these are operating in accordance with the granted permission.

The commercial units and associated spaces within Airton Rise form part of the approved private development. Consequently, if these areas have been provided in accordance with the planning permission and are intended for commercial use, the Council has limited powers to compel the developer, housing provider or management company to convert or make available such spaces for residential parking, whether on a permanent or temporary basis.

Notwithstanding the above, the Council is willing to engage constructively with all relevant stakeholders and would be happy to facilitate or attend a meeting with Respond Housing, and or the developer to discuss the parking concerns raised by residents and to explore whether any voluntary or temporary arrangements could be considered by the parties responsible for managing the development. However, any such arrangements would ultimately be a matter for the developer and/or management company, having regard to the approved development, operational requirements and any legal or management obligations attaching to the site.

Accordingly, while the Council is prepared to engage with the relevant parties regarding the issue, it should be noted that the Council has limited statutory powers to require alterations to parking management arrangements within a private development that has been constructed and is being operated in accordance with its planning permission.