This Place Matters
An Taisce – The National Trust for IrelandTailor’s Hall, Back Lane, Dublin 8
Promoting Community Participation in the Development Plan Process
Laois
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Objective - Participation
1 To highlight the importance of community, ENGO and stakeholder participation in the planning process;
2 To provide an overview of the role of the Planning System with respect to achieving sustainable development & Environmental Protection;
3 To understand the key lessons of the past and the key challenges of the future and the role of the land use planning system in addressing these challenges;
4 To provide an overview of the Irish planning system and the process of making a development plan.
5 To provide an overview of how to undertake a review of a development plan, to make a submission and to follow up to ensure your view is taken into consideration.
Q & A
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01: INTRODUCTION
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What is the Development Plan
• The primary statement on land-use planning
• Provides the policy context for planning applications.
• The function is to support the sustainable development of land in the interests of the common good.
• ‘The plan is a statement of objectives; it informs the community, in its draft form, of the intended objectives and affords the community the opportunity of inspection, criticism, and, if thought
proper, objection. When adopted it forms an environmental contract between the planning authority, the council, and the community, embodying a promise by the council that it will
regulate private development in a manner consistent with the objectives stated in the plan . . .’ The
Attorney General (McGarry) v. Sligo County Council [1991] 1 I.R. 99
• The legal status of a development plan SHOULD create a strong incentive for all stakeholder
partners to engage in a process which can create certainty about our collective future.
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The Importance of Participation
Development Led
Retrospective
Confrontational
Community Led
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Why is the Planning System Undervalued?
Our History Pop. Density Rural Society Private Property
Power Structures Education Apathy
Vested Interest
No Resources
Short Termism
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‘We Shape our Buildings. Thereafter they Shape Us’Winston Churchill
Why Does the Development Plan Matter?
Live Work Learn Recreate
Shop Travel Relax
Landscape
Community
Environment HeritageQuality of Life
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Why Does the Development Plan Matter?
The Human Health Map
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• The Development Plan is the arena where the collective future of local communities can be worked out.
Benefits of a Positive Plan Led System
Short Term Long Term
Private Interests Common Good
Institutions
Local Authority/Development Plan
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03: LOOKING BACK
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Over - Zoning Price Inflation Suburban Sprawl Ex-urban Sprawl
Car Dependency Health Costs
Social Problems Flooding Conflict Ghost Estates
The Costs of Development Led Planning
Greenhouse GasUrban Decay
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The Irish Spatial Structure Today
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04: LOOKING FORWARD
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‘That which seems to be wealth may in reality be the gold plated index of far-reaching ruin’
John Rushkin c. 1840
Changing Our Ways
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Market FailurePeak Oil & Energy Security
Resource ScarcityClimate Change
The Key Challenges
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The Energy Challenge
International Energy Agency (IEA) – World Energy Outlook (10 th of November 2009)
• ‘The scale and breadth of the energy challenge is enormous – far greater than many people realise.
• An unprecedented, yet relatively narrow, window of opportunity to take action to concentrate investment on low-carbon technology.’
• ‘Current trends have profound implications for environmental protection, energy security and economic development’
• ‘Households and businesses are largely responsible for making the required investments, but governments hold the key to changing the mix of energy investment
• Continuing on today’s energy path, without any change in government policy, would mean rapidly increasing dependence on fossil fuels, with alarming consequences for climate change and energy security’
• [crude oil] prices approach $102 per bbl by 2015, $131 per bbl by 2020 and almost $190 bbl by 2030.
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06: THE IRISH PLANNING SYSTEM
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National Spatial Strategy
Regional Planning Guidelines
County Development Plans
Local Area Plans
Other EU and National Level Plans
& Guidelines
Policies & Programmes of Govt.
Depts
Capital Programmes
Planning Guidelines
Serviced Land Initiative
Urban & Village Renewal
Programmes
Other Regional/Local Level Plans
CDB Strategies
Capital Programmes
Housing Strategy
Retail Strategy
Waste Strategy
Water Quality Management
Biodiversity Plan
The Planning System in Ireland
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The Planning System in Ireland
The National Spatial Strategy Regional Planning Guidelines
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• Zoning – Need, Policy, Capacity, Infrastructure, Physical Suitability, Sequential, Environmental Constraints
• Infrastructure –Transport, Water Services, Energy & Communications
• Environment – Natural (including SACs, SPAs, NHAs) & Built Heritage
• Social, Community & Cultural – Link with CDB
• Landscape Character – SAAOs, LCAs
• RPS & Architectural Conservation Areas • Regeneration• Amenities – including Public Rights of Way
• Community Services – Schools, Creches etc
What Must a Plan Include?
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Development Plan Structure
Development Plan Strategy• Core aims• Settlement and transport strategy• Development opportunities pursued in the plan• Sustainability – the Plan and Effects on the
Environment
Strategic Context
Current Trends and Issues• National and regional spatial context• Key demographic and socio-economic trends• Physical development trends• Key issues to address in this plan
Policies & Objectives
Location and Pattern of Development Housing Strategy
Economic Development Environment, Heritage & Amenities
Infrastructure Development Management Objectives
Implementation
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• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
• Must be an Iterative & Integrated Process Where Plan Alternatives are Assessed Against Environmental Constraints.
• SEA Statement
• Article 6 ‘Appropriate Assessment’ (SACs/SPAs)
Integrating the Environment
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Environmental Report
Alternatives
Mitigation Measures
Monitoring
Human Population Biodiversity Landscapes & Soil
Agriculture/ Forestry Waste Management Water Quality
Air Quality Noise Pollution Cultural Assets
Material Assets Climate Change Sustainability
SEA STATEMENT
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05: THE PLAN MAKING PROCESS
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Background Work, Data Gathering, Informal Consultations with Elected Members
Notice of Intention of Planning Authority to Prepare A New Development Plan
(Must be made not later that 4 years after the making of the existing Plan)
Pre-Draft Public Consultation
At Least 8 Weeks
Week 1
The Plan Making Process
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Manager’s Report & Recommendations
Preparation by the Manager of the Draft Plan & Environmental Report
Consideration by the Members of the Draft Submitted by the Manager and Finalisation
for Initial Public Display
Publish Notice & Invite Submissions
Directions from Elected
Members (Within 10 Weeks of Managers
Report)
Week 16
Week 38
Week 46
Week 48
The Plan Making Process
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Public Consultation @ Least 10 Weeks
Manager’s Report
Making of Development Plan by Planning Authority Members Unless Material
Alterations are Proposed
Any Material Alterations
Week 58
Week 70
Week 82
The Plan Making Process
We Are Here
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Notice of Material Alterations
(amend Environmental Report if Necessary)
Public Consultation @ Least 4 Weeks
Manager’s Report
Making the Plan
Week 85
Week 89
Week 93
Week 99
The Plan Making Process
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07: MAKING A SUBMISISON
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Tips on Making a Submission
• Introduce your group briefly explaining the aims of the group, who your target group are and why you are making this submission.
• Explain briefly how the submission was prepared including the consultation process carried out such as dates, numbers that attended etc.
• Make sure that the points made are clear, relevant and focused.
• For clarity purposes, try to link your points directly to a section, chapter or page of the plan or policy.
• If handwriting the submission, ensure that the writing is legible.
• Conclude your submission by summarising your main points and give a brief outline of past experiences based on all the information you have gathered about the plan or policy.
• Watch timeframes. Make sure you know the exact deadline date (month, day, hour). Deadline dates are strictly adhered to.
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• Always make sure the agency acknowledges receipt of your group’s submission. This receipt proves that the submission is in ‘the system’.
• Make a recommendation or an idea that can be used in the future to make the plan or
policy work better.
• Address issues for which the Development Plan has competence
• Location of the site your submission relates to (if applicable)
• Use precedents or best practice examples
• Be succinct and include a short executive summary
• Send a copy to your Elected Members
www.laoiscoco.iewww.thisplacematters.ie
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Tips on Making a Submission
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Making a Submission – Being Effective
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08: FOLLOWING UP
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• The most important reserved function of the Elected Members;
• Follow the statutory preparation process and Council Meeting Minutes.
• Watch for the Publication of the Draft Plan• Remind Councillors and Management of their
statutory obligations
Its Your Development Plan
“The greatest mistake a man can ever make is to do nothing for fear of not being able to do enough’
Edmund Burke
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Key Development Plan Issues
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THANK YOU!Closing Date Friday 11th of Feb @ 1700 hrs