Vol. 234 No. 5
asked the Minister for Local Government if the development plan for County Waterford includes any proposals for the preservation of the Comeragh mountain range in the Nire Valley district and the natural amenities of the area such as the lakes which are at present providing splendid fishing, hiking and hill-walking facilities for the local people and for tourists.
19.
asked the Minister for Local Government what steps he or the local authorities can take to correct the omission from a county development plan of comprehensive clauses dealing with the preservation and protection of areas of natural beauty and recreational value in the country.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
The Comeragh Mountains and the Nire Valley are classified as an area of high amenity in the development plan for County Waterford. The plan provides that development which might seriously injure, or conflict with, the amenity of such areas will not be permitted; that it will be the council's policy to preserve, improve and open up areas and places from which views or prospects of high scenic value can be obtained and that further studies will be made of the need for use of the special powers conferred on local planning authorities by the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, to control and guide land use in areas of special amenity.
A planning authority may review their development plan at any stage or may add to it by way of an additional partial plan dealing with particular policies or problems.
