Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
796 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the way in which the new planning guidelines issued by his Department will impact on existing county development plans; the instruction which has been given to local authorities in respect of implementing the new guidelines on rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11473/04]
View answerIn accordance with normal practice, the guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable rural housing have been issued in draft form to give all those interested an opportunity to comment before they are finalised in statutory form. I intend to carefully consider any suggestions for clarifying or improving the guidelines before they are finalised; comments are to be submitted to my Department by 30 April.
In view of the importance of the rural housing issue and the fact that there has already been extensive opportunity for public debate, and following earlier precedent, I have requested planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála to have regard to the guidelines with effect from the date of their publication. The guidelines are a material consideration in terms of development plans and in the consideration of planning applications. Planning authorities are required to review and vary their development plans, where necessary, to ensure that their policies on rural settlement are consistent with the policies set out in the guidelines.
