The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency. Under Section 5(e) of the Establishment Order, the LDA can provide masterplanning and development appraisal services to relevant bodies, including local authorities.
Any masterplans developed by the LDA will be consistent with the policies and objectives of the relevant statutory plans, including Development Plans and Local Area Plans, and would be subject to the Development Management process in any case when an application for development is made.
The masterplanning processes being undertaken by the LDA are being carried out in partnership with the relevant local authorities and other public bodies and the oversight and governance of these projects is a matter for those bodies. The LDA have advised the Department that collaborative engagement between the LDA and the planning authorities informs all masterplanning projects.
As with all State bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, arrangements have been put in place by the LDA through which Oireachtas members can request information directly from the Agency in relation to operational matters - in this regard, the LDA may be contacted directly at oireachtas@lda.ie.
