asked the Minister for the Environment if he will ensure that in all areas protected by special amenity orders all types of development normally exempted from required planning permission including drainage, land reclamation and pasture improvements will require planning permission under the normal process; and if he will make a statement on his intentions in this regard.
Written Answers. - Special Amenity Orders.
134.
By virtue of article 11 (1) (b) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1977, many forms of development which are exempted development in accordance with article 10 of the regulations, would not be exempted developments in an area to which a special amenity area order relates, depending on the objectives for the prevention or limitation of development, set out in the order.
The making of a special amenity area order does not affect the exemption of certain developments where the exemption is by virtue of section 4 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963. Included in this category are certain works under the Land Reclamation Act, 1949, and development consisting of the use of any land for the purposes of agriculture. I have no proposals to amend the current protection afforded by special amenity area orders under the Planning Acts.