The planning review is intended to assess the application of planning legislation, policy and guidance within the development plan and development management systems at local level and to inform further policy development in these areas. Seven planning authorities, representing a broad geographical spread of both urban and rural areas as well as both large and small authorities, had been selected to assist in the review of policies and practices by reference to a number of cases raised with my Department.
I am proceeding now on the basis of my predecessor's decision as Minister for Housing and Planning that, instead of incurring significant costs to the Exchequer by securing outsourced expertise, the Department would carry out an examination of the cases involved to inform the planning review. In this regard a three person team from my Department has been in communication with the local authorities involved and has held a meeting locally with senior officials of the authorities. I will be making a public statement in the coming weeks, setting out fully:
the nature of the complaints involved,
the findings of the review and,
the conclusions and recommended next steps, as appropriate.
