Ronan Group Real Estate

Lobbying Organisation Ronan Group Real Estate

Date published 20 Jan, 2017

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Development and Zoning

Period 1 Sep, 2016 to 31 Dec, 2016

Specific Details The Ronan Group wrote to the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government (the “Minister”) in respect of: (i) SDZ density and height provisions; (ii) Financing models for both the private rental sector, affordable housing, student accommodation and social housing.

Intended results The Ronan Group urged the Minister to consider amending the Provisions of the 2016 Bill to allow for a fast-track amendment process to an SDZ Planning Scheme. The Ronan Group also asked the Minster to consider introducing innovative funding mechanisms to increase the capacity for those in the property industry to obtain funding in order to deliver housing and commercial accommodation. The intended result of the communication was to encourage the Minister to amend proposed legislation and to alter public policy to allow developers like the Ronan Group to deliver accommodation to meet the current demand and alleviate the well documented housing crisis.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity John Ronan

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

(SDZ DENSITY & INNOVATIVE FUNDING MODELS). - SDZ DENSITY - The Ronan Group submitted that the measures contained in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2016 (the “2016 Bill”) should be amended to include fast-track amendments to existing SDZ Planning schemes. The North Lotts and Grand Canal Planning Scheme currently allows for developments 6-7 storey in height. The Ronan Group had previously developed an award winning development in Spencer Dock consisting of 620 best-in-class apartments in blocks of up to 12 storeys. It was submitted that in order to alleviate the housing crisis in Dublin, a restrictive limit of 6-7 storeys is not aligned with the Government’s stated policy aims. It was also noted that while the Planning Scheme stated that the area around Spencer Dock was suitable for development up to 12 storeys, the Planning Scheme imposed a restriction of a maximum height of 6-7 storeys.

Letter (1)

(Note only one letter was submitted. The below text is continued from above). - INNOVATIVE FUNDING MODELS - It was submitted that financing models such as Public Private Partnership (PPP) should be considered by the Minister, for the delivery of rental and affordable housing. It was also submitted that the State should consider funding arrangements for both State and developer owned lands to attract institutional investors to the sector.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Simon Coveney Minister (Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government)