Levies outlined under town development plan
Wednesday July 28 2010
THE 'car parking contributions' are charged where the applicant is unable to provide car parking in line with development plan standards, according to a senior executive at Drogheda Borough Council.
The development plans outlines that a single retail application would require one car parking space per 50sq metres of development.
Speaking to the Drogheda Independent, Senior Executive Mary T Daly said the development contributions/ levies are charged in accordance with Section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.
' These levies are required to meet the capital/infrastructure costs associated with the provision of roads, parking, water services, recreation and parks,' she says.
'The parking fees paid by the general public on a daily basis go to meet the ongoing maintenance costs of road maintenance etc.'
Under the current Development Contribution scheme, if car parking cannot be provided then the applicant pays cash in lieu of € 7,000 (previously € 8,639.73) per space required in town centre and € 4,500 (previously €5,818) per space outside town centre
In the Development Contribution scheme which came into effect on March 1st 2010, there were a number of incentives whereby the Contributions for Roads, Public Piped Services and Recreation and Amenity could be reduced.
In accordance with the scheme, Ms Daly says it clearly states that these reductions do not apply to car parking, however 'Change of use' now receives a 75% reduction and reutilisation of upper floors for residential purposes is also cut by 75%.
- Alison COMYN
