Urban sprawl response requires vision from Govt

Press Release: Environment 24 November 2006

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24 November 2006

Urban sprawl response requires vision from Govt – Cuffe

– Development has consumed 36,000 acres of agricultural land in Greater Dublin Area, says EEA report

The Green Party called on Environment Minister Dick Roche to respond to a new report on the impacts of urban sprawl. Stronger planning guidelines are required to address urban sprawl which is consuming vast amounts of agricultural land, and increasing energy use and commuting times, said Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD.

Deputy Cuffe said: "Sprawl is the enemy, and proper planning is the cure. This requires vision from Government instead of their current business-as-usual approach. Tens of thousands of acres of prime agricultural land have been lost to development around Dublin in recent years. The European Environment Agency's report shows that there is no more time for business as usual. A recent OECD report stated that urban sprawl creates an infrastructure deficit that adversely affecting productivity growth. It also increases climate change emissions.

"The Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has adopted a hands-off approach to the problem of low-density suburban sprawl. Higher density developments should be favoured if they are well designed. Planning Guidance is required to build better communities in our cities and towns. We want the Minister to issue guidelines on the following:

Provide detailed design guidance and best practice examples of high-density development;

Insist on larger floor areas and taller ceiling heights in new apartment units;

Provide for safe children's play areas in new apartment developments;

Ensure that there is an adequate amount of three bedroom family size units in new apartments;

Place restrictions on low density housing;

Provide open space and sports pitches including all-weather playing surfaces in new housing areas;

Increase insulation levels through the Building Regulations;

Provide for more thorough inspections of building quality in new development.

"It is Minister Roche's duty and responsibility to tackle urban sprawl. But he prefers to ignore the issue. Urban sprawl uses more energy, requires more transport infrastructure and consumes larger amounts of land. It is time for Minister to wake up and smell the flowers," concluded Deputy Cuffe.

Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for the Dún Laoghaire Dáil Constituency. Ciarán can be contacted at Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or 96 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire Tel. 284 6060 or 618 3082, Fax 618 4341, Email Ciaran CiaranCuffe.com, or Text Ciaran on 087 265 2075.