Baldoyle housing development
The Minister said he had asked the local authorities to reconsider the proposal because it could provide jobs and urgently needed housing, and said he would not intervene in every rejected application. Dr. Browne asked that recreational amenities be preserved; the Minister believed both housing and amenities could be accommodated.
asked the Minister for the Environment why he has asked Dublin Corporation and Dublin County Council to reverse their decision not to permit a major housing development in Baldoyle, County Dublin, despite the widespread opposition of local residents to the project.
Comment on this
In contacting the Assistant City Manager as to whether the proposals for housing development at Baldoyle could be re-examined I was considering the urgent necessity for job creation and also the need for providing residential accommodation in the Dublin area. I would bring to the notice of the Deputy that under the provisions of section 22 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, as amended by the Act of 1976, the Minister for the Environment has specific powers in relation to development plans. These powers have not previously been used to any extent because of the inhibiting effect of the appeals function. The fact that appellate powers are now vested in An Bord Pleanála enables me to take the initiative to ask for a re-examination of the possibility of development in a particular area, especially where job creation and housing needs are concerned.
Comment on this
While I appreciate the need for both job creation and new houses, would the Minister, when he does review the desirability or likelihood of providing the houses, attempt to maintain as many of the recreational amenities in this area as possible? It is already a very heavily populated area.
Comment on this
I certainly think the area of land is big enough to be able to accommodate both interests.
Comment on this
In view of the Minister's stated reasons for his intervention in this instance, can we expect that intervention from him to the local authority for every application for housing development which is turned down by the local authority? I ask this in the interest of creating jobs.
Comment on this
No. Where I think there is a distinct possibility of creating jobs in line with providing badly needed houses I will consider it. There is no question of intervention in all cases.
Comment on this
In all cases where intervention would bring about jobs and housing where they are needed?
