Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 1

Written Answers. - Local Authority Development Plans.

John Bruton

Question:

790 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the new zonings, approved by Meath County Council under its development plan, for housing development at Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin, and Ratoath, County Meath are compatible with the proposed national spatial strategy which he is preparing; and the way in which he will ensure that the national spatial strategy is compatible with the differing developing plans of different local authorities throughout the country. [1258/01]

John Bruton

Question:

791 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the draft development for Meath put on display by Meath County Council between 13 November 2000 and 20 December 2000 is in line with the strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin region; if he has written to Meath County Council about the mater; if he has received a response; if he has made a decision on Meath County Council's application for an extension of the time to adopt a new development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1259/01]

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

I propose to take Question Nos. 790 and 791 together.

The national spatial strategy will be completed by the end of this year, in accordance with the timetable announced last year. The question of the compatibility of the Meath county development plan or any other development plan with the proposed national spatial strategy accordingly does not arise.

The Minister for the Environment and Local Government is a statutory consultee for all development plans. In accordance with normal practice, the Department, on my behalf, has examined the draft development plan for Meath. In the light of that examination my Department wrote to Meath County Council on 15th December 2000 seeking comments on the compatibility of proposals for Dunboyne, Clonee and Kilbride with the strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area, reminding the council of my formal request of April 1999 that it should ensure that its draft plan is in line with the strategic planning guidelines and asking for a detailed report from the council. An interim reply has been received from the council which indicated that a substantive reply will be sent to my Department following the next meeting of the council on 5 February 2001. Pending receipt of that reply no decision will be taken on the council's application for an extension of time to adopt the development plan.