The Department of the Environment has published new guidelines for developers on the size, location and design of new apartment blocks.

New rules have been published to detail the amount of floor space, study room and storage each apartment should have.

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The guidelines also state developers will have to reduce the number of one bedroom units, increase unit size and provide recreation areas, to make them more suitable for families.

Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, commented on the regulations, saying: "With about 600,000 new dwellings required in Ireland over the next decade, it is vitally important that the design of apartments provide a good quality of life for their occupants, including families with children."

(JM)