321. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to change the planning laws and guidelines to disallow permeability pedestrian pathways and cycle-lanes from new housing developments through older estates which were constructed in some cases over 30; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46447/26]

The Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) 2025, sets out high-level national policies and objectives, with a clear vision to guide future development and investment decisions. The NPF outlines the Government’s intention to adopt a more compact, sustainable and community centred development approach.

The NPF acknowledges that communities which are designed to support physical activity, such as walking and cycling, encourage residents to make healthy choices and live healthier lives. The NPF seeks to ensure that safe and convenient alternatives to the car are designed into our communities by prioritising walking and cycling accessibility to both existing and proposed developments (National Policy Objective 37). This approach will also in broader benefits relating to reduced car dependency and reduced carbon emissions.

In support of the NPF objectives the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities, “the Settlement Guidelines”, were issued as Ministerial Guidelines in January 2024, under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The Settlement Guidelines expand on higher-level policies of the NPF, setting policy and guidance in relation to the growth priorities for settlements.

The Settlement Guidelines highlight the importance of planning for network of well-designed neighbourhoods that can meet day-to-day needs within a short 10 to 15 minute (approx.) walk of all homes. The Settlement Guidelines state that new developments should connect to the wider urban street and transport networks and improve connections between communities, to public transport, local services and local amenities such as shops, parks and schools, where possible. The Settlement Guidelines also states that active travel should be prioritised through design measures that seek to calm traffic and create street networks that feel safe and comfortable for pedestrians and cyclists.

It is a Policy and Objective of the Settlement Guidelines that planning authorities implement the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) published in 2013 (updated 2019) by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, when carrying out their functions. DMURS sets out design guidance for new and existing urban roads and streets in Ireland, incorporating good planning and design practice. DMURS responds to the principles of universal design to ensure that the movement, comfort and safety of vulnerable users (in particular young children and elderly people) is prioritised within the urban environment. This includes the provision of highly connected street networks which allow people to walk to key destinations in a direct and easy to find manner.

Further guidance on connecting communities is also provided within the National Transport Authority’s ‘Permeability Best Practice Guide’, issued in 2015.

Ensuring that the built environment is designed so that places are well connected and accessible to people of all ages and abilities is core to the application of the NPF and the Settlement Guidelines. When applying the Settlement Guidelines planning authorities can take the circumstances of a plan area or an individual site into account as part of the plan-making or decision-making processes prescribed under the Planning and Development Acts.