Michael P. Kitt
Question:98 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment if planning permission is required for the realignment of a road and the provision of traffic lights in an urban area. [17421/96]
Written Answers. - Planning Permission Requirements.
Development consisting of the carrying out by a local authority of works required for the construction of a new road, or the maintenance or improvement of an existing road is exempted development under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963. However, certain road works are subject to the alternative procedure provided for in section 3 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963. Effect is given to the provisions of that section by Part X of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1994, as amended, under which local authorities are oblilged to give public notice of specified classes of development proposed by them, including any proposal for the widening or realignment of an existing road, where the length of the widened or realigned portion of the road would be 100 metres or more in an urban area, or 1 kilometre or more in any other area. In addition to the specified classes, notice is required to be given of any other development by a local authority, the estimated cost of which exceeds £50,000; such development could include traffic management measures, such as the erection of traffic lights. Submissions or observations dealing with the proper planning and development of the area concerned must be sought in regard to the proposed development and the plans must be available for inspection by the public during a period of not less than one month. Following the period allowed for submissions or observations, a report must be prepared regarding the details of the proposal and this must include details of any submissions or observations received in relation to it. The report must be submitted to the elected members of the local authority who have discretion, under section 3 of the Local Government Act, 1955, to direct that the proposed development is not to proceed.