Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
382. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if planning guidelines permit for planning permission applications to be considered on economic grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36760/20]
View answerA County Development Plan (CDP) provides the strategic framework and policy context for all local planning decisions. The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, (“the Act”) reinforces the role of the development plan as the primary strategic statement on land-use planning at city and county levels, and provides a clearly defined context for the formulation and content of planning applications. The making of a CDP is a reserved function of elected members of each local authority.
It is a matter for each local authority to determine city and county development plan policies to which they will have regard when determining planning applications. The Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2007) issued by my Department under Section 28 of the Act, outlines that the land-use policies of the development plan must be informed by and reflect the socio-economic and cultural considerations of the strategies for economic, social and cultural development of a city/county. Economic and social considerations are central to proper planning and sustainable development and must underpin the strategy, policies and specific objectives of the plan.
My Department is currently reviewing and updating the Development Plan Guidelines for Planning Authorities to assist with the review of development plans and it is my aim to have draft Guidelines published for public consultation by the end of the year.
