The planning regulator has told Dublin City Council to remove restrictions on build-to-rent (BTR) construction in its development plan.
Councillors had agreed to specify that BTR developments would have a minimum of 40% set aside as 'build to sell'.
However the planning regulator says that ministerial guidelines on new apartments introduced in 2020 do not allow restrictions on dwelling mix in BTR schemes.
It has recommended the deletion of the section stating that there will be a general presumption against schemes of over 100 units that are 100% BTR, and the introduction of the 40% build to sell ratio.
Councillors were concerned that large scale BTR development with a preponderance of one and two bed units were not encouraging the development of sustainable communities.
Council planners also expressed similar concerns about specific schemes such as the Holy Cross Strategic Housing Development in Drumcondra which has received permisson from An Bord Pleanála for nearly 1,600 BTR units.
The regulator says a better approach would be to strengthen another provision in the draft plan which introduce measures to prevent a concentration of BTR developments in a particular area.
The planning regulator has also told city councillors that they do not have the power to specify social and affordable housing when zoning land.
Councillors wanted to introduce a new Z16 designation for the rezoning of industrial sites and would involve mixed uses including 10% private residential and 40% social and affordable.
However the regulator states that this provision should be deleted as social and affordable housing is not a land use as defined under the Planning and Development Act.
It says that extra social and affordable housing can be allowed under Part V of the act.
In its submission the planning regulator said it is broadly supportive of the Dublin City Council draft development plan for 2022 to 2028 and its aim to provide 40,000 new residential units.
