Laois presentation1

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

his Place Matters www.thisplacematters.ie www.planbetter.ie

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


01: INTRODUCTION


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.


The Importance of Participation

Development Led

Retrospective

Confrontational

Community Led


Why is the Planning System Undervalued?

Our History Pop. Density Rural Society Private Property

Power Structures Education Apathy

Vested Interest

No Resources

Short Termism


‘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


Why Does the Development Plan Matter?

The Human Health Map


• 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


03: LOOKING BACK


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


The Irish Spatial Structure Today


04: LOOKING FORWARD


‘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


Market FailurePeak Oil & Energy Security

Resource ScarcityClimate Change

The Key Challenges


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.


06: THE IRISH PLANNING SYSTEM


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


The Planning System in Ireland

The National Spatial Strategy Regional Planning Guidelines


• 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?


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


• 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


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


05: THE PLAN MAKING PROCESS


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


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



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


We Are Here


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



07: MAKING A SUBMISISON


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.


• 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

www.planbetter.ie

Tips on Making a Submission


Making a Submission – Being Effective


08: FOLLOWING UP


• 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


www.thisplacematters.ie


Key Development Plan Issues












THANK YOU!Closing Date Friday 11th of Feb @ 1700 hrs