Plan for larger apartments

Proposals that would significantly increase the size of new apartments built in Dublin city are likely to become compulsory for developers within two months.

Dublin City councillors unanimously approved new guidelines last night which have been brought in to encourage families to live in apartment complexes.

The draft guidelines, Achieving Livable, Sustainable New Apartment Homes for Dublin City, were published in May and approved last night by councillors.

They would see the average new apartment increase in size by 25 per cent with almost half of all apartment complexes being at least 80sq m in size to accommodate a family unit.

Detailed guidelines as to the size of kitchens, bedrooms and public space outside have also been drawn up by the council. The average height of apartment ceilings will rise from 2.3 to 2.7 metres.

An amendment last night which would see less stringent floor sizes in small developments of five apartments or fewer on existing sites in the city centre was included in the plans.

There will now be a formal four-week consultation period where submissions will be invited from interested parties including developers. The final decision is likely to come at the November meeting of the council where the proposals will be brought in as a variation to the city development plan. The draft plans have been criticised by developers and estate agents as unrealistic and likely to drive up the price of housing.

Assistant city manager Michael Stubbs said that, though the guidelines are not yet law, the council will now be encouraging developers to abide by them when they are submitting applications for planning permission.

Cllr Daithí Doolan, chairman of the planning, economic development and European affairs committee, said that the proposed guidelines made sense as 90 per cent of future developments in the city will be apartments.