The draft Guidelines are issued as a consultation draft to facilitate more detailed observations to be made by interested parties and are available to view and download from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s website - The closing date for receipt of submissions is Tuesday 20th December 2011 at 4pm.
The guidelines, when finalised, will be published by the Minister under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and will thereby be underpinned by statute. Pending finalisation of the guidelines, local authorities are requested to have regard to the recommended approach in the draft guidelines, when preparing or varying development plans and local area plans, and in regard to applications for planning permission.
The finalised statutory Guidelines will be accompanied by a non-statutory Best Practice Manual which is intended to assist both planning authorities and prospective applicants in relation to design issues and the assessment of the vitality and viability of city and town centres.
See attached for more details - Further information can be found on the Departments website (www.environ.ie)