An Bord Pleanála has fired a well-aimed shot across the bows of the property development sector in saying that a lot of what is being built today is well below par.
Too many projects show "scant regard" for their surroundings, including a "particular lack of concern" for this country's architectural heritage, according to board chairman John O'Connor. Poor design has been one of his "hobby-horses", he said, at the publication of the board's annual report for 2004. But he went further in criticising those who put forward plans for apartment blocks "banged up against each other" with "too much emphasis on the car and car parking", or schemes involving the "unnecessary demolition of older buildings" that made an essential contribution to the character of a town.
Much of this is happening, as Mr O'Connor pointed out, because development proposals were being rushed to beat deadlines for tax incentives and some of the architects involved had said they "could have done a better job if they had more time". There is a bitter irony here, because the tax incentives are being offered by the same Government that supposedly committed itself to promoting high standards in its policy on architecture several years ago. Not that this matters much when there is money to be made. The tax incentives available for hotels and student housing - or, previously, for renewal schemes in run-down urban areas or seaside resorts - are not conditional on architectural quality. They may not even be designed by qualified architects.
Given the frenetic level of development activity in recent years, this lapse in standards is inexcusable. Every building is a fact on the ground. People must live with the consequences of how buildings are designed, particularly if they reside in gloomy apartments that face only to the north looking out over parking lots. And everyone is affected by the quality of what is built, or the lack of it.
An Bord Pleanála has done the State some service by refusing permission for badly designed schemes or by suggesting improvements. It, too, operates under time constraints in making decisions, and its chairman conceded that it has been put under "severe strain" in dealing with a record number of planning appeals. However, instead of rushing to catch up with statutory deadlines - as the Government would want - the board should take time in reaching considered decisions, especially on larger developments. In this regard, Mr O'Connor's assurance that it would take "a very hard look" at high-rise proposals rather than "just nodding them through" must be welcomed by everyone with an interest in our urban skylines.