Six-storey apartments ‘are optimal height for affordability’

Increased structural and safety costs for high-rise buildings mean that six-storey blocks are the “optimal height” to make “affordable” apartments economically viable for developers to build, a government report has found. The report said that apartment buildings of a greater height do not necessarily increase the density of housing developments. The findings are contained in a report – called the “review of delivery costs and viability for affordable residential developments” – published this week by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. It says that “contrary to common understanding, higher-rise development” can be a “a more expensive form of development”.

Read the full article @ The Irish Times

Murphy urges councils to clamp down on application discussions

Irish planning minister Eoghan Murphy has urged councils to clamp down on discussion of individual planning applications before they are determined by officials and to ensure that officials don’t participate in exchanges about the merits of proposals. In a letter to council chief executives and senior planners signed by Terry Sheridan, chief planner in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and sent to The Planner, concern is voiced over the risk to “due process”.

Read the full article @ www.theplanner.co.uk

Government defends plan to ‘lower’ apartment standards

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy and his department have defended moves to “lower” minimum standards for new apartments, despite widespread concerns being expressed. Mr Murphy and the Government have moved to reduce the minimum size of apartments, increase the number of apartments that can be built per development and remove the need for car parking for residents in central locations. Under his plan, Mr Murphy also intends to increase the cap on the number of units that can be on a floor for every lift or staircase from eight to 12.

Read the full article @ The Irish Examiner

RIAI Statement on Apartment Guidelines

Spokesperson for the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), John O’Mahony, has welcomed the new design standards issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in respect of apartment guidelines, however the RIAI says that more needs to be done to make apartments affordable.

The RIAI says that the new guidelines respond to our changing demographics and create four specific types of apartments which will allow for better housing mix: Build to Rent, Shared Living, Owner Occupier and Student Accommodation.

The RIAI says that these new regulations, specifically the easing of requirements in the build-to-rent sector, should see the sector innovate to respond to the changing market. Two thirds of new households in Ireland over the past twenty years consist of one or two people, yet we are not building enough apartments to cater for this new demographic. At present there are 2.5 times as many one- and two-person households as there are homes to suit them. We welcome the changed requirements for basement car parking which will make it easier to provide apartments, and we also welcome the fact that overall apartment standards, size and quality have not been changed.

However the RIAI says that to create an environment that accelerates delivery, the costs generated through tax, levies and land costs, equating to 57%, must now all be addressed – urgent action is required.

“It is important that regulators address outstanding issues that are preventing the provision of apartments, such as the issue of height and the need to make better use of land, particularly in suburban areas where increased densification is needed. Most importantly, it is crucial that the industry is given certainty in terms of regulations, as continuous change can limit delivery at a time of very high demand.”

Plans to ‘lower’ apartment standards slammed

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy and his department have defended moves to “lower” minimum standards for new apartments, despite widespread concerns being expressed. Mr Murphy and the Government have moved to reduce the minimum size of apartments, increase the number of apartments that can be built per development and remove the need for car parking for residents in central locations. Under his plan, Mr Murphy also intends to increase the cap on the number of units that can be on a floor for every lift or staircase from eight to 12. Opponents have hit out at the plans saying they will not address the housing crisis nor will they encourage developers to build.

Read the full article @ The Irish Examiner