Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - County Development Plans.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

350 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether it is acceptable for a local authority, when determining residential rezoning in its county development plan, to use population projections for eight years on to 2006 as the basis for deciding on the amount of residential rezoning required; if he has satisfied himself that local authorities are aware that development plans should legally be drawn up for five yeas in accordance with the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11956/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

Section 20 (1) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, requires planning authorities to review their development plans every five years. Section 19(2) of the 1963 Act, as amended, sets out the objectives which must be addressed by a local authority in drawing up its development plan and the additional objectives, as set out in the Third Schedule to the Act, which may be addressed in the plan if the authority so wishes. It is a matter for local authorities themselves, in addresing the objectives to be included in their development plan, to consider what would be the most appropriate planning time frame in relation to each objective, having regard to the proper planning and development of their area. These objectives can then be reviewed as part of the ongoing five yearly review.

I am aware that 39 per cent of county development plans are over five years. As part of the comprehensive review of planning legislation currently under way, consideration is being given to the appropriateness of reviews at five yearly intervals and to improving the procedures for the preparation and adoption of development plans.