Many County and City Councils are currently reviewing their Development Plans and a number of Draft Plans are about to be issued for public consultation. Indeed, some Draft Plans have recently been published and are currently open for public consultation. Plans up for review include Sligo County, Clare County, Galway City, Limerick City and County. The new Development Plans will inform all future development in these areas for a six-year period and may set out land use zonings and development standards. This is an important opportunity to make submissions to influence the future development of these areas.
The following County and City Developments Plans are currently being reviewed and submissions by members of the public may be made now or in the coming weeks:
Limerick County Draft Development Plan Public Consultation to 17th Feb 2010
Limerick City Draft Development Plan Public Consultation to 15th Mar 2010
Galway City Draft Development Plan Public Consultation expected end Jan 2010
Sligo County Draft Development Plan Public Consultation expected early Feb 2010
Clare County Draft Development Plan Public Consultation expected end Jan 2010
Development Plans set out the relevant Council’s development strategy for the next six years and are very important planning documents. They include an overall settlement strategy, based on population and economic growth, and identify areas for future urban expansion for a range of uses. They may also identify areas where growth is to be prohibited or restricted. They include policies and objectives for future development in the area. The Development Plan is the main point of reference in a Planning Authority’s assessment of planning proposals and the Plan will usually determine whether particular uses and proposals will be acceptable. Some Development Plans, mainly for City Councils, provide more detailed planning objectives on land use zoning for all land, whilst others may provide details on settlement boundaries, growth areas and rural planning restrictions.
The preparation of a new Development Plan takes approximately two years from start to finish. The process includes provision for public consultation at the outset, before a Draft Plan has been prepared, and again when the Draft Plan is published. All submissions received during these public consultations should be considered by the Council in the preparation and finalisation of the Development Plan.
Submissions to Draft Plans can relate to any planning matter, including general policies, specific objectives and development standards. Submissions are often related to the zoning objectives, where these are included in the Plan. County Managers are required to prepare a report on all submissions and make recommendations to the Elected Members, who must then decide whether to adopt the Draft Plan as published or to make Amendments. If Amendments are proposed, further submissions may be made in relation these proposed amendments before the Council decides to finalise and adopt the Development Plan.