Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
52. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of active strategic development zones of which his Department is aware, and the number planned over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12646/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart IX of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that the Government may, by order, when proposed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, designate one or more sites for the establishment of a strategic development zone (SDZ) to facilitate development deemed to be of economic or social importance to the State. The legislation states that the Order shall specify the development agency and the type or types of development that may be established in the SDZ. Within two years of designation, the specified development agency is required to prepare a planning scheme indicating the manner in which it the SDZ is to be developed, for adoption by the members of the planning authority. The decision of the elected members can be appealed to An Bord Pleanála and the board can approve the scheme with or without amendments, or not make the scheme.
The list of designated SDZs is as follows:
Adamstown (South Dublin)
Hansfield (Fingal)
Clonmagadden (Meath)
Balgaddy – Clonburris (South Dublin)
Cherrywood (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown)
Monard (Cork)
Grangegorman (Dublin City)
North Lotts – Grand Canal (Dublin City)
Poolbeg West (Dublin City)
North Quays (Waterford)
Ireland West Airport Knock (Mayo)
There are planning schemes in place for all designated SDZs. While I have no statutory role in relation to the implementation of a planning scheme, my Department is aware of progress being made in relation to the implementation of all, save one, of the listed SDZs. In relation to new designations, there are no requests before me at the presentation time for the designation of lands as a SDZ.
Part 21 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 when commenced will provide that sites designated under the Planning and Development Act 2000 shall continue to be an SDZ. The Act also provides that Urban Development Zones (UDZ) will replace the SDZ concept, recognising the need to facilitate active plan-led management of land for development and regeneration at scale in appropriate locations aligned with compact growth objectives set out in the National Planning Framework. It is intended that the UDZ designation will be applicable to large-scale areas in single or multiple land ownership that could include public and-or private lands and transport-led development areas. Given the need to prioritise the planning and delivery of development in key areas, the UDZ provisions permit the early identification of potentially suitable sites, followed by the plan-led designation of candidate UDZ sites in the local authority development plan. This affords a key role for elected members and other stakeholders and facilitates early delivery of development once the planning framework for the area is incorporated into the development plan. The UDZ provisions will be commenced in conjunction with the commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024, details of which are set out in an Implementation Plan that is available to view on my Department's website.
