Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
462. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering a plan-led rather than developer-led approach to onshore wind development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38094/22]
View answer463. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is considering a plan-led rather than developer-led approach to solar farm development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38095/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together.
My Department is responsible for leading on national planning policy and the guidance that follows to support and enable its implementation. At a strategic level, the National Planning Framework, developed in consultation with both the public and across the whole of Government, sets out the national planning and infrastructure vision for the next 20 years.
Within the wider national and local planning context, planning authorities must make their decisions based on the specific merits or otherwise of individual planning applications. In making decisions on a planning application, a planning authority, or the Board as appropriate, must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan including any zoning objectives, any submissions or observations received from the public and the statutory consultees, and any relevant Ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.
Furthermore planning authorities in pursuance of discharging their functions particularly in relation to plan making and the consideration of planning applications are obliged to take account of wider Government policies, where relevant, for example those relating to renewable energy being led by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
A comprehensive review and consolidation of planning legislation is currently underway; led by the Attorney General who has established a working group of professionals with planning law expertise to assist him in this work. It is due to be finalised by the end of the year. Extensive work is underway on the review and my Department is engaging with the Attorney General and the working group on it.
“Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland” outlines the key policy aims of this review, which include ensuring that the major debate, in line with objectives of compact urban growth and environmental sustainability, is focused on the plan-making rather than the planning application stage. This will facilitate greater clarity and long-term visibility in planning outcomes, whilst ensuring appropriate account is taken of the nature of planning decisions, which require careful balancing of public policy, public participation and environmental issues. All provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, will be examined in the context of this review.
