Jimmy Deenihan
Question:49 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to draw up a national landscape policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20050/97]
Written Answers. - Landscape Policy.
There is no commitment in An Action Programme for the Millenuim, Partnership 2000 or my Department's sustainable development strategy to draw up a specific national landscape policy and, accordingly, it is not among my Department's priorities at present. However, the operation of the physical planning and other codes, including the habitats regulations, have a vital role in the protection of the landscape. Land use planning guidelines published by my Department are also relevant in this context: such guidelines have already been published in relation to telecommunications antennae and support structures and wind farm development and draft consultation guidelines have been published in relation to forestry development. There is also a range of current proposals which are, at least in part, designed to enhance this protection.
Principal among these are: the current review of planning legislation, the public consultation phase of which is now at an advanced stage with a national planning convention being held on Thursday, November 27, the preparation of new draft land use planning guidelines on high amenity landscapes and on the scope and content of development plans; and the new Wildlife Bill which is currently in preparation by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
All of these measures, taken together, will ensure an increasingly effective regime for the protection of the national landscape.