1. The focus of residential planning is on the creation of long-term sustainable communities with priority given to appropriate community facilities prior to the building of houses.
2. In line with the Aarhus Convention, environmental consequences are factored into decision-making at Council level e.g. in the compilation of development plans.
3. Climate Change Proofing is incorporated into all local authority decision-making procedures. [Download the National Climate Change Strategy PDF]
4. Also in line with the Aarhus Convention (1998), efficient communication channels are established between local government and the public to disseminate information about important planning issues e.g. e-alerts (texts and emails).
5. All administrative rules that act as a barrier to open participation by the public in the Irish planning system are removed.
6. Based on improved building standards introduced in 2008, all local development plans lay down standards on energy efficiency and the use of renewables.
7. All green spaces provide social and ecological benefits e.g. parks, playgrounds and allotments.
8. Urban micro-forests are established in large open spaces within new residential areas.

1. Local Landscape Managers and Landscape Plans fully implement the terms of the European Landscape Convention.
2. Landscape plans enhance biodiversity.
3. Parks and landscape services are established in all local authorities.
4. New regional and national parks are established in areas of high amenity.

1. Local authorities buy or compulsorily purchase land-banks around villages and provide serviced sites at cost to residents so that shops, schools and other facilities and amenities are located within walking distance.
2. Rural planning policies give preference to those who make an economic contribution to the rural community in which they wish to live.
3. Deed or mortgage evidence is provided on an annual basis to stop speculation in the sale of housing to non-rural buyers so that rural people have the opportunity to build and live in the rural areas where they work.
4. New guidelines on site-suitability assessments for all development in rural areas are adhered to, which will ensure limitations on development in close proximity to watercourses, in areas with regionally important aquifers, EU-designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) / Special Preservation Areas (SPA), Natural Heritage Areas and in areas of high visual amenity.

In keeping with the recommendations of the Kenny Report (1973, available from the National Library), local authorities establish a development levy mechanism to ensure maximum benefit from land re-zoning; and that revenue generated in this manner is used for the benefit of the community e.g. through the provision of community facilities.

1. All housing action plans incorporate a sustainable communities ethos and all new housing developments include a mix of social, affordable and owner-occupied housing.
2. Greater options for sheltered housing for the elderly are provided in the private, social and affordable housing sectors.
3. Both the new Building Standards (2008) and the Sustainable Urban Development Guidelines (2009), which are based on good urban design principles are followed and monitored.
4. Local authorities make more active use of existing compulsory purchase powers.
5. Local authorities designate 'brown field' sites in need of redevelopment.
6. Development plans and planning permissions use best practice in terms of promoting sustainable, properly facilitated developments including the designation of lands alongside new housing developments for primary and post-primary schools.
7. Specific housing policies are developed to address the integration of migrants recognising the distinction between clustering and ghettoisation.

1. Outside bodies (management companies) cannot be allowed by local authorities to take over the management of an estate without the support of the majority of residents.
2. Local authorities do not require the creation of management companies as part of the planning permission conditions for traditional estates.
3. Local authorities ensure that management agents are strictly policed by the National Property Services Regulatory Authority.
4. New procedures issued by Minister John Gormley, requiring local authorities to establish a policy for taking estates in charge are adhered to so that greater pressure can be brought to bear on developers if they fail to bring an estate up to the necessary standard within the prescribed time.
5. Local authorities work closely with residents' associations to ensure efficient delivery of relevant services.
6. Local authorities work to ensure a high uptake among householders of newly available grants for insulation and energy-efficiency under the Home Energy Savings Scheme, the Warmer Homes Scheme and the Greener Homes Scheme, which the Green Party has initiated in Government.
7. Local authorities establish clear guidelines for the prosecution of landlords whose properties are in serious breach of guidelines as set out by the Standards for Private Rented Accommodation.

1. Social housing is placed at the centre of local authority housing service plans.
2. Innovative ways of combining capital and revenue funding are explored to increase access to social and affordable housing e.g. lease and purchase arrangements.
3. The availability of a sufficient number of social and affordable housing units is ensured to clear the housing waiting lists. One means of achieving this aim is to develop innovative strategies to utilise efficiently the existing social and affordable housing stock, some of which is currently vacant.
4. Developers are prohibited from using land or financial transfer to opt out of building social housing units within new residential schemes so that 20 per cent of new developments consist of social and affordable units.
5. Grants for insulation are fully utilised to ensure the social and affordable housing stock is at the highest standard of energy efficiency. www.sei.ie, www.energyaction.ie
6. The actions outlined in the Barcelona Declaration are fully implemented by local authorities to create a more accessible environment for people with disabilities.
7. Local authority housing for people with disabilities is integrated into as many housing schemes as possible.
8. Traveller Accommodation Programmes are developed and implemented in full consultation with Traveller communities.
9. There is full implementation at a local level of the Government's Strategy on Homelessness in keeping with the National Strategic Implementation Plan for the Strategy.
10. Partnership between the statutory and voluntary sector is encouraged in local homeless fora.

1. Local authorities specify the forecasted transport, education and community service capacity requirements and inform the Department of Education of new zoning decisions and changes to development plans that have implications for future education needs.
2. Local authorities provide educational facilities within new growth areas by requiring developers to either supply the necessary land, pay development contributions to finance schools or build the necessary schools as a condition of planning permission.

1. The establishment of a Sustainable Transport Plan within each local authority including sufficient public transport options combined with private operators where necessary.
2. The appointment of a Sustainable Transport Officer within each local authority (in many cases this may be a shared role) so that road and traffic management is focused on forms of transport other than motor vehicles e.g. bicycles and walking.
3. The inclusion of an environmental representative on the Planning and Transport Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) of local authorities.
4. A published cost-benefit analysis prior to any contract being signed on new transport projects.
5. The cost-benefit analysis for all local infrastructure projects includes measures of the climate change and social costs resulting from the development. [Download the National Climate Change Strategy PDF]
6. The clustering of residential development near existing villages and towns to ensure transport options are available.
7. The availability of public transport options e.g. bus stops close to public amenities.
8. Better traffic management to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and increased road safety measures.
9. Better public lighting on approaches into towns and villages to increase road safety.
10. All new and replacement public lighting is energy efficient and dark sky friendly.
11. Reduced local speed limits as appropriate (in consultation with An Gárda Síochána) to address the number of road deaths
12. Liaison with local business to produce Mobility Management Plans thereby alleviating congestion.
13. Reduced commuting distances in the long-term by linking land-use and transportation planning in development plans.
14. More efficient road maintenance to reflect the cost of motor tax.
15. Investment in Quality Bus Corridors to improve the turn-around time of buses thereby radically increasing capacity from the existing fleet.
16. Better facilities for cyclists in keeping with the National Cycle Policy Framework, including coherent cycle lane networks and bicycle racks at a sufficient number of locations such as public transport stops. [Download the National Cycling Policy PDF]
17. A greater number of pedestrianised areas within cities, towns and villages to allow walking to become the dominant mode of transport within these centres thereby enhancing the quality of life.
18. The introduction of safe routes to school in conjunction with An Taisce's Green Schools Initiative Travel Module; safe routes have been shown to significantly reduce the use of cars for school journeys and to increase the use of walking and cycling accordingly.
19. The introduction of traffic training schemes in schools run by An Gárda Síochána. Such courses would cover safety, cycling and pedestrian skills and would have the added benefit of encouraging positive interaction between children, young people and gardaí.
20. Efficient use of public car parks both to encourage park and ride and to generate revenue.