To ask the Minister of Finance whether his Department has considered amending the building regulations to require all new builds to include space for secure off-street storage of bins to help keep public footpaths clear for pedestrians.

Regulation 62 (Solid waste storage) of Part J (Solid waste in buildings) of the Building Regulations requires that adequate provision is made for the hygienic storage of waste from a building, as well as access to the place of storage and from the place of storage to the waste collection point.

Regulation 62 applies to new buildings, alterations or extensions and certain cases of material change of use, including where a greater or lesser number of dwellings is created.

The Department’s Technical Booklet J (Solid waste in buildings) provides guidance by referral to the Local Government Waste Storage Guide for Northern Ireland. This covers requirements for the size, siting and design considerations of waste storage areas and notes that "The waste collection point should be such that waste can be presented without blocking vehicular or pedestrian access."

The Department is of the view that Part J is adequate.