I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 to 178, inclusive, together.
Responsibility for planning policy rests with the local government system working within the broad legislative and policy framework for planning established by Government and myself as Minister.
The National Transport Authority (“NTA”) has responsibility for “strategic planning of transport”. In carrying out this function, the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 (the “Transport Strategy”) was prepared by the NTA in accordance with the relevant legislative provisions, primarily Section 12 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.
I am also determined that the GDA Transport Strategy be taken into account in preparing a new National Planning Framework (NPF) to succeed the National Spatial Strategy and subsidiary Regional Planning Guidelines which in turn will be succeeded by three new Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) for the new Regional Assembly areas.
This is fully recognised in the Transport Strategy, which also states (page 6) that the “role of the Strategy is to establish the framework for transport provision necessary to achieve the land use vision set out in the Regional Planning Guidelines”.
In preparing its Transport Strategy the NTA is required to have regard to a number of matters, including the National Spatial Strategy, local authority development plans, and the regional planning guidelines for the region (prior to their replacement with a regional spatial and economic strategy).
In addition, the 2008 legislation requires the NTA to ensure that the Transport Strategy is consistent with the Regional Planning Guidelines (and subsequently with their replacement - the regional spatial and economic strategy). In keeping with this, the Eastern and Midland Assembly provided confirmation that the draft Transport Strategy was consistent with the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area.
I think we can all agree that many of the existing planning and transport problems across the Greater Dublin, which have resulted in unsustainable patterns of commuting and increasing congestion, stem from a lack of integration between planning and land use. It is important that a much more integrated approach is developed between these two areas, both now and into the future. Existing legislation seeks to achieve this by requiring, on a statutory basis, consistency between strategic transport planning, in the form of the Transport Strategy, and regional level land use planning. It is through this interaction that the necessary integration between land use planning and transport provision can be achieved, which will provide a more co-ordinated and sustainable region. I am confident that the approach being taken will ensure that the relevant bodies and agencies will work together, with the strategies in fact complementing each other.
As outlined earlier, the Transport Strategy is legislatively required to be consistent with the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010-2022. Similarly, the same Regional Planning Guidelines have guided the preparation and adoption of the Development Plans of the Local Authorities in the Greater Dublin Area.
Accordingly, it is considered that the Development Plans across the Greater Dublin Area and the Transport Strategy are inherently consistent with each other, and the NTA has confirmed their view of that consistency. As such, there is no requirement for the amendment of the Core Strategies in the various Development Plans as a result of the adoption of the Transport Strategy.
In relation to the land use proposals intended to be prepared by the NTA for consideration by the Regional Assembly, the NTA is legislatively required, under Section 31F of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), to “assist and co-operate with the regional assemblies in respect of the GDA in making arrangements for the preparation of a regional spatial and economic strategy and in carrying out the preparation of the strategy”. In carrying out this role, the NTA is required, under the same legislative provision, to prepare a report for the Regional Assembly on the issues which should be considered by the Assembly, including, inter alia, “recommendations regarding the optimal use, location, pattern and density of new development taking account of its transport strategy”.
The statement in the Transport Strategy regarding the submission of land use proposals to the Regional Assembly for its consideration, reflects correctly the legislative role of the NTA, as set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000, in respect of the preparation of the regional spatial and economic strategy. Such a submission does not affect, or alter in any way, the statutory role of the members of the Regional Assembly as the decision making body in the making of the regional spatial and economic strategy. The Regional Assembly remains fully responsible for spatial planning of the overall region, in accordance with national planning policy.
The Transport Strategy supports the development of the overall Greater Dublin Area, both the Metropolitan area and the Hinterland, in accordance with the Regional Planning Guidelines. The NTA has confirmed that both population growth and employment growth has been anticipated and taken into account in relation to all six of the listed locations in County Wicklow. They have noted that if the pace of growth of population and employment is faster than anticipated, the Transport Strategy can adapt to that acceleration through the provision of additional transport services or the earlier development of the infrastructure provisions. In addition, the Strategy is subject to reviews and updates every six years and at each review point, adjustments can be made to reflect the relevant circumstances at that time. Accordingly, the Transport Strategy underpins and supports the objective to allow the listed settlements to grow significantly and fulfil their roles in accordance with the Regional Planning Guidelines and the Core Strategy of the Wicklow County Development Plan.
