Planning and Development Act, 2000

Preparation of draft development plan.

11.—(1) Not later than 4 years after the making of a development plan, a planning authority shall give notice of its intention to review its existing development plan and to prepare a new development plan for its area.

(2) A notice under subsection (1) shall be given to the Minister, any prescribed authorities, any adjoining planning authorities, the Board, any relevant regional authority and any town commissioners and city and county development boards within the functional area of the authority and shall be published in one or more newspapers circulating in the area to which the development plan relates and shall—

(a) state that the planning authority intends to review the existing development plan and to prepare a new development plan,

(b) indicate that submissions or observations regarding the review of the existing plan and the preparation of a new development plan may be made in writing to the planning authority within a specified period (which shall not be less than 8 weeks),

(c) indicate the time during which and the place or places where any background papers or draft proposals (if any) regarding the review of the existing plan and the preparation of the new development plan may be inspected.

(3) (a) As soon as may be after giving notice under this section of its intention to review a development plan and to prepare a new development plan, a planning authority shall take whatever additional measures it considers necessary to consult with the general public and other interested bodies.

(b) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), a planning authority shall hold public meetings and seek written submissions regarding all or any aspect of the proposed development plan and may invite oral submissions to be made to the planning authority regarding the plan.

(c) In addition to paragraphs (a) and (b), a planning authority shall take whatever measures it considers necessary to consult with the providers of energy, telecommunications, transport and any other relevant infrastructure and of education, health, policing and other services in order to ascertain any long-term plans for the provision of the infrastructure and services in the area of the planning authority and the providers shall furnish the necessary information to the planning authority.

(4) (a) Not later than 16 weeks after giving notice under subsection (1), the manager of a planning authority shall prepare a report on any submissions or observations received under subsection (2) or (3) and the matters arising out of any consultations under subsection (3).

(b) A report under paragraph (a) shall—

(i) list the persons or bodies who made submissions or observations under this section as well as any persons or bodies consulted by the authority,

(ii) summarise the issues raised in the submissions and during the consultations, where appropriate,

(iii) give the opinion of the manager to the issues raised, taking account of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the statutory obligations of any local authority in the area, and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or of any Minister of the Government, and

(iv) state the manager's recommendations on the policies to be included in the draft development plan.

(c) A report under paragraph (a) shall be submitted to the members of the planning authority, or to a committee of the planning authority, as may be decided by the members of the authority, for their consideration.

(d) Following the consideration of a report under paragraph (c), the members of the planning authority or of the committee, as the case may be, may issue directions to the manager regarding the preparation of the draft development plan, and any such directions must take account of the statutory obligations of any local authority in the area and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or of any Minister of the Government, and the manager shall comply with any such directions.

(e) Directions under paragraph (d) shall be issued not later than 10 weeks after the submission of a report in accordance with paragraph (c).

(f) In issuing directions under paragraph (d), the members shall be restricted to considering the proper planning and sustainable development of the area to which the development plan relates.

(5) (a) The manager shall, not later than 12 weeks following the receipt of any directions under subsection (4)(d), prepare a draft development plan and submit it to the members of the planning authority for their consideration.

(b) The members of a planning authority shall, as soon as may be, consider the draft development plan submitted by the manager in accordance with paragraph (a).

(c) Where the draft development plan has been considered in accordance with paragraph (b), it shall be deemed to be the draft development plan, unless, within 8 weeks of the submission of the draft development plan under paragraph (a), the planning authority, by resolution, amends that draft development plan.