Appendix 3 Housing Strategy

1. Introduction

1.1 Statutory Background

This document sets out Wicklow’s Housing Strategy for the period 2022 - 2028, which is the likely lifetime of the new Wicklow County Development Plan. The preparation of a Housing Strategy is a requirement under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).  Section  94  of  the  Act  requires  that ‘each  planning  authority  shall  include  in  any  development plan it makes in accordance with Section 12 a strategy for the purpose of ensuring that the proper planning and sustainable development of the area of the development plan provides for the housing of the existing and future population of the area in the manner set out in the strategy’. The  procedures  for  the  preparation  of  a  Housing  Strategy  are  set  out  in  the  Act.

 In  particular,  the  Act specifies that the Housing Strategy will:

• Estimate  the  existing  and  likely  future  need  for  housing  in  the  area,  and  ensure  that  sufficient  zonedand serviced land is made available to meet such needs;
• Ensure that housing is available for persons who have different levels of income;
• Ensure that a mixture of house types and sizes is developed to reasonably match the requirements of the  different  categories  of  households,  including  the  special  requirements  of  elderly  persons  and persons with disabilities;
• Counteract undue segregation between persons of different social backgrounds;Provide that as a general policy a specific % (not exceeding 10%) of the land zoned in theDevelopment  Plan for  residential  use, or  for  a mixture of  residential and  other uses, shall be  reservedfor those in need of social housing in the area.Thus the Housing Strategy encompasses both the role of the Authority as the provider of social and special housing and its broader land use planning responsibilities.

Continue reading Appendix 3. Download PDF