Roche to 'frustrate' rezoning windfall

The Minister for the Environment Mr Roche has said he will "frustrate" attempts by local authorities to raise money from large-scale land rezoning.

Mr Roche was responding to reports in The Irish Times, that rezoning in Co Laois could result in a multi-million euro windfall for the planning authority.

The potential gains become available when small villages are earmarked for housing beyond that which is required locally.

In granting planning permission for housing a planning authority has the power to ask for up to 20 per cent of the development, for social and affordable housing under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Where the authority does not need so many houses it is empowered to take land or cash instead. In this way the authority's share of a 600 house development could amount to 55 houses and about €10.5 million in cash.

In the case of Co Laois, large scale rezoning of up to a dozen villages, could represent a windfall for the council of tens of millions of euro.

But Mr Roche indicated at the weekend that where he believes local authorities are simply cashing in on the Part V clause, he will "move to frustrate that".

Mr Roche said "Part V was intended to solve a housing need and not to simply add revenue".

Meanwhile, Offaly County Council is preparing local development plans for the villages of Rhode, Clara, Daingean and Edenderry all of which are expected to come under development pressure for commuter housing. Councillors are due to debate the plans on Tuesday next.