Government Planning Legislation not up to scratch says Doyle

Fingal County Council member Tania Doyle says that Government’s new Planning Legislation should go back to the drawing board.

The Independent Councillor from Ongar said Government’s proposal to revamp planning legislation through the introduction of a new Planning Bill needs a “root and branch revision.”

“The Planning and Development Bill is expected to bring significant changes to the State’s planning system, but I fear that mostly the status quo remains,” she said.

“Outside of Ireland, within the planning system, the views and proposals of the citizens are given strong consideration, and their voices are heard and listened to,” and expressed fears the same liberty will not be granted to Irish citizens in this context.

“Proper cognisance and respect must also be paid to the County Development Plans also, yet the bill proposes increased Governmental control through greater centralisation and reduced empowerment of the citizen.”

Doyle has been vocal in recent months about Government gaining control through the centralisation of services.

“Provisions for pre-consultation between developers and planning authorties are made but no provision whatsoever for anyone to talk to residents or residents’ groups/associations.”

“On review, I am worried that the Bill, as it is being proposed, will further erode not only the existing powers of our communities but those of our County Councillors and ultimately, the Local Authority (County Council).”

She said that Government believes that objections stop development, but in her view “this is not the case at all.”

“Observations are a key cornerstone of the planning system and in tangible terms have no impact on Planning Authority timelines. Appeals to An Bord Pleanála do add time, it would be naïve to think not but I strongly advocate for the retention of this option to appeal.”

“We recall that this right was withdrawn in respect of SHD (strategic housing development), however, even within the An Bord Pleanála process, observations also have no impact on timelines.”

“Some would say they have no impact at all one way or the other; it is important to say that taking a judicial review may delay a decision.”

She said that a functioning robust decision process would mitigate any potential for delay, while “positive and proactive” legislation should foster engagement and the rights of citizens.

She noted that of the 265,000 planning decisions made in the past decade, a total of 490 An Bord Pleanála decisions have been taken to judicial review.

“At present in the Dublin area alone, there are unused permissions for more than 49,000 homes; is why the proposed Government Planning Legislation needs another planning legislation.”