13 June 2006

Environment

Developer Contributions to Flood Defence Works

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department will provide guidance to local authorities in drawing up policies on developer contributions to flood defence works to meet their obligations under the draft of guidelines for planning authorities on development plans; and if he will comment on the matter.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche): My Department published Public Consultation Draft Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities on 27 April this year. Comments and submissions on the Draft Guidelines are invited by 21 July next, with the intention of finalising the Guidelines in the Autumn.

The Draft Guidelines suggest, inter alia, that development plans should include policies relating to requirements on developers to support the funding of flood defences needed for particular developments, either partially or fully, depending on the circumstances. Under sub-section 4(b) of section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may attach conditions to a decision to grant permission for a development, requiring the carrying out of works which the planning authority considers necessary for the purposes of the development authorised by the permission. However, as the Guidelines are currently in draft form for public consultation purposes, it would not be appropriate at this time for my Department to provide normative guidance to local authorities on this matter.