Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 23 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 5

Written Answers. - Sustainable Development Policy.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

79 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the relationship between the proposed land use policy plan and the sustainable development strategy currently being prepared by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19467/96]

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

80 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment the scope of the proposed land use policy plan; and when he intends to publish the document. [19468/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.

Arising from the commitment in the policy agreement,A Government of Renewal, to draw up a national land use plan, my Department is preparing a series of guidelines on land use policy issues for local planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála. Guidelines on telecommunications antennae and support structures were published on 31 July and guidelines on wind farm development were published on 19 September. Copies are available in the Oireachtas Library. Guidelines on forestry development, high amenity landscapes and the scope and content of development plans are now being prepared. Priorities for further land use planning guidelines are being considered in the context of the national sustainable development strategy which is currently in its final stage of preparation in the Department. The strategy will address the implications of the principles and objectives of sustainable development for land use planning, while the guidelines contain greater detail on the practical implementation of these principles. Taken together, the strategy and the guidelines will provide a comprehensive policy framework for land use planning.