Proposed increases in levies attached to planning permission for private houses is causing controversy in Co Kerry. In some areas, more than double the existing charges are proposed under the new development contribution scheme of the Planning Act.
The Planning and Development Act (2000) has broadened the range of infrastructure and projects that can be funded by levies on private and commercial development and it is up to each local authority to set and adopt its own contribution schemes. The levies must be agreed by March 10th, 2004.
In some rural villages where significant waste water infrastructure is required there are proposals for a levy of €9,500 on new private houses. Some €6,500 or (€65 a sq metre) is being proposed for the average size house in Tralee and €4,000 (€40 a sq metre) for a house in Killarney.
Currently, the fee attached to a planning permission in Tralee for a house is €2,500. It is €2,900 for a 100 sq metre house in Killarney.
Ms Karen Murphy, spokeswoman for the Irish Council for Social Housing, has called on local authorities to use the levies collected under the new scheme to contribute to the "essential services such as housing, roads and water".
Developers of private housing estates should not pass on the increases to the first time buyer, Ms Murphy said. Social housing organisations are exempt from the levies.
Councillors have warned of a growing local authority housing list as a direct result of the increase.
The new development contribution scheme was more transparent than the existing levies structure and it was necessary if towns such as Killarney are to realise their basic infrastructure, Mr Denis O'Connor, the town engineer said.
Other fees in Killarney include €85 per sq metre on rental holiday accommodation, new hotels and guesthouses and leisure facilities.
However, a controversial €12 million swimming pool and leisure centre, in train for over 20 years, will be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
A new €5 million town hall administrative and area services centre for the town council is the second biggest structure planned.
Special meetings are taking place to discuss the proposals over the next weeks.
The drafts will go out for public comment.