Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
796. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the status of a village boundary as set out in a local plan in circumstances in which a village plan has expired since 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32234/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDevelopment boundaries, as set in statutory development plans and local area plans, indicate a general outline of the intended form of the relevant city, town or village from a planning policy perspective.
The making of a Local Area Plan (LAP) is a reserved function of the elected members of the Council. Under section 18 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), a LAP must indicate the period for which the plan is to remain in place.
LAPs normally last for six years. However, section 19 of the Act states that not more than 5 years after the making of a LAP, a planning authority may, subject to meeting certain requirements, defer the start of the review process for up to a further five years. The relevant requirements in this regard include that the LAP remains consistent with the objectives and core strategy of the relevant city or county development plan and that the objectives of the LAP have not been substantially secured.
In the circumstances where a LAP has expired and has not been reviewed or renewed, then the relevant plan is no longer a legal document and the development boundaries described therein would have no practical planning policy or legal effect.
