Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
217. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the four joint local area plans that were promised for the largest population centres that cross county boundaries (details supplied) have been completed or started; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48794/21]
View answerThe National Planning Framework adopted in 2018 included National Policy Objective 70, stated that “Provision will be made for urban area plans, based on current local area plan provisions, and joint urban area plans and local area plans will be prepared where a town and environs lie within the combined functional area of more than one local authority”.
All three Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies prepared by each of the three Regional Assemblies identified where the preparation of joint local area plans were required. These included;
- Drogheda: Louth and Meath county councils;
- Athlone: Westmeath and Roscommon county councils;
- Carlow: Carlow and Laois county councils
Waterford and Kilkenny were not identified as planning authorities required to prepare a joint local area plan. Waterford and Kilkenny will however, work together on the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan and a Joint Retail Strategy.
Currently, all County Development Plans have either very recently been adopted or are being prepared.
It is an objective of each Development Plan (Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Roscommon, Carlow and Laois) that the identified joint local area plans will be prepared during the lifetime of the respective Development Plan periods.
The Meath County Development Plan (CDP) (2021 – 2027) will come into effect on 3 November 2021 with the Louth CDP (2021 – 2027) following on the 16 November 2021. It is anticipated that both authorities will prioritise the preparation of a Joint Urban Area Plan (UAP/LAP) for Drogheda within Q1 2022.
The Westmeath CDP (2021 – 2027) came into effect on 3 May 2021. However, the Roscommon CDP is not due to be adopted until May 2022. Once both County Development Plans are adopted, the Joint Plan will be commenced.
The Laois CDP (2022 – 2028) is due to be adopted in February 2022 with the Carlow CDP following in August 2022.
All Planning Authorities have committed to preparing and implementing the respective identified joint plans.
