An Bord Pleanála is responsible for determining planning applications for strategic infrastructure development (SID), including more recently strategic housing development (SHD).
The SID and SHD provisions in the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, provide for the necessary public notification, site notice and public consultation arrangements in respect of such planning applications, broadly similar to the arrangements in place in respect of planning applications for smaller development proposals made directly to the relevant local planning authority in the first instance.
Therefore, any person or body may, within the requisite period and on payment of the appropriate fee, make a submission or observations to the Board in respect of an application for permission for a proposed SID or SHD.
I am satisfied that there are appropriate procedures in place to ensure that the wider public have an opportunity to give their observations on proposed SID and SHD planning applications and I have no proposals to change the procedures in this regard.