National Spatial Strategy And Development Plans Economics Essay
The (NSS) National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020 is a 20-year national planning framework. The National Development Plan 2000 – 2006 promised to prepare and enact the NSS. It’s purpose was to deliver a more balanced social, economic and physical development and population growth between regions.
The NSS is neither a social or economic development plan similar to the National Development Plan (NDP). It gives guidelines on how to implement the NDP and the goals and strategies for future National Development Plans, while also complementing other plans and policies. The NSS is very much concerned with Public investment in infrastructure and balancing regional development. It was introduced to encourage sustainable planning at national level.
“This National Development Plan integrates strategic development frameworks for regional development, for rural communities and for protection of the environment with common economic and social goals.” NDP.ie
The relationship between the NSS and Development Plans can be dated back to when and why the NSS was introduced. AS outlined in the Planning and Development Act 2000 the NSS was introduced in November 2002 and takes into account the European Spatial Development Perspective. The NSS was not introduced to change or correct the Development Plans or indeed alter their vision for future development. Instead it aimed to act nationally as a driving force behind the implementation of the NDP with the aim of creating a more balanced overall regional development. It intended to create a link between public sectors.
The development plan dedicates part 2 chapter 3 to regional development an area the government obviously wanted to address. The chapter describes how the government wants to create a more balanced regional development. This was done bridge the economic gap between the Border, Midlands and West with the East & South regions. This movement towards equality of regions would hopefully increase the prosperity of Ireland as a nation. The NSS attempted to identify spatial development for regions and make policies on development type, services, tourism etc. The NDP identified 5 Gateways, they are 4 of Ireland’s main cities Galway, Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and Cork. These cities or gateways are intended to be centres of national growth.
The relationship between the NSS and Development Plans can be dated back to when and why the NSS was introduced. AS outlined in the Planning and Development Act 2000 the NSS was introduced in November 2002 and takes into account the European Spatial Development Perspective. The NSS was not introduced to change or correct the Development Plans or indeed alter their vision for future development. Instead it aimed to act nationally as a driving force behind the implementation of the NDP with the aim of creating a more balanced overall regional development. It intended to create a link between public sectors.
It is paramount that the NSS and any of the Development Plans are not contradictory towards one and other on any level and share the same views on Government policies and planning guidelines. Local authorities have a primary role to play in keeping
The National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 aligns the NSS centrally within it through a specific chapter on balanced regional development. This Government commitment to aligning the regional development dimension of the NDP 2007-2013 with the NSS objectives and the prioritisation of capital investment in line with the NSS establishes the Strategy as a viable and practical policy measure to encourage more balanced regional development. This places the NSS at the heart of our capital infrastructure decisions over the next number of years.
Outline how Strategic Development Zones (SDZs) are identified and the process involved in the development of such zones.
Part IX of the Planning & Development Act 2000
The introduction of the new concept SDZs (since November 2000) may be seen as bringing Irish planning law in line with other Jurisdictions where such zones are quite common.
A STZ is a site which the Government has designated to facilitate development, which in the Governments opinion is of economic or social importance to the state. Proposal for SDZs put forward by Development agencies, Local Authorities, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Free Airport Development CO. Ltd., Udaras na Gaeltachta, National Building Agency Ltd.
The minister must then meet with the propositioning agency or authority and discuss the proposal (type of proposal, reasons etc). Once an order of designation as a site for an SDZ has been made it must specify the development agency with responsibility of implementing the SDZ scheme. A key issue under section 166(5) of the P&D Act 2000 is that a number of SDZ related activities may be excluded from planning permission requirements. A planning authority may use any powers available to acquire the land, most notably Compulsory acquisition order (CPO). It is the responsibility of the agency to prepare the draft-planning scheme for the SDZ, must be within 2 years of the order being made. The draft-planning scheme is then submitted to the relevant planning authority (Appendix 3). It must consist of a written statement and a plan while also outline: type of development, design, transport issues, services etc. Some property professionals express concerns that SDZ orders may facilitate development that could have adverse environmental consequences. This is countered somewhat by section 168 (3)., which requires an EIS environmental impact statement.
When prepared, the draft planning schemes will be displayed for six weeks for written submissions or observations, and the Manager of the relevant planning authority is required to submit a report on such submissions and observations for consideration by Council no later than 12 weeks after giving notice of the draft planning scheme. Only the relevant development agency or any person who made submissions or observations on the draft planning scheme may appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Should a conflict arise between the Development Plan and the provisions of the planning scheme the latter will take precedence. There is no right of appeal to the planning authorities decision.
In the Adamstown case the time taken from site designation to first grant of planning permission was 27 months.
There are few SDZs in Ireland at the moment, the most significant being (Appendix 1) Adamstown, South County Dublin which was designated in 2001 (8,250-10,150 housing units). However on 4th May 2010 Minister Cuffe (on foot of a proposal by John Gormley, Minister for the Environment) announces the designation of Cherrywood in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and Monard in County Cork as Strategic Development Zones (SDZs).
Explain the process and the public participation in creating a County Development Plan.
The Planning and Development Act states Planning Authorities are required to make a Development Plan every 6 years, which should deal with the whole of the planning Authorities jurisdiction e.g. Galway County Council.
However in some cases (section 9 (3) (a) P& D Act 2000) neighbouring planning authority, borough/urban district council may amalgamate with the agreement of the other relevant authority(s) and make only one plan for that particular area.
In making a County development Plan, the authority shall have regard to other development plans of adjoining authorities and co ordinate the objectives within those plans resulting in a overall more integrated planning policy. A Development Plan should be consistent with national plans, policies and strategies so far as is practical.
Within 4 years of making a Development Plan a planning authority shall give notice of intention to review its existing development plan and prepare a new plan. A notice of this intention shall be given to the minister, relevant authorities, an bord pleanala, regional/city /county/town boards and should be published in one or more newspapers circulating in the area. The notice should contain in basic terms – 1) Authorities intention to review plan. 2) Submissions & observations may be made in writing. 3) Time and place where documents/draft plans maybe inspected. The public are now given the opportunity to put in submissions before the plan is drafted, this was not the case pre 2000 Act.
It is then up to the planning authority to take whatever additional measures it considers necessary to consult with the public and other related bodies. This should be done by holding public meetings and seeking written/oral submissions on the matter. The planning authority shall also consult with providers of telecommunications, energy, transport health and other services in order to ascertain any long term plans and their effect on the development plan.
Not more than 16 weeks after intention of notice to review the manager must prepare a report on any submission/observations made. Following the completion if this report the planning authority creates a draft development plan. Within two of creating the draft development plan the planning authority must send a copy to the minister and publish notice in one or more local newspapers. A copy of the draft plan must then be made available at a stated place for a period of 10 weeks, written submissions & observations may also be heard during the period. Not later than 12 weeks after giving notice to amend plan the manager shall prepare a report on the submissions received and give his opinion. The members of the planning authority shall then consider this report. The minister reserves the right to make regulations or issue guidelines in relation to the preparation of LAPs. The entire process can be quite cumbersome (Appendix 2) but serves its purpose very well.
Discuss “micro planning” within a County Development plan area.
Micro planning deals with more specific issues within a local planning authorities jurisdiction. It provides Action area plans, local area plans and SDZ. The main aim of an area action plan is to establish a coherent vision of how a town should / can develop. For example the Dunmore Area Action Plan aims to promote higher standards of building and urban design through the formation of an urban design framework. Development a movement strategy and identify potential new routes servicing new development area. Action Area plans are non statutory plan, the Dunmore Plan was carried out in 2006, the town being identified as a local service area centre to Tuam which is a hub. The plan outlined the need for residential areas to connect with public open space. It outlined the need for a children’s play ground within the town which has since been completed in 2009.
Strategic Development Zones SDZ were introduced under part IX of the planning and Development Act 2000. They are designed to single out developments that are consider to be of strategic national importance, these areas are then developed for a specific use related to the local area.
A local area Plan is a form of micro planning within a development plan It is a public of ideas and planning issues within a particular area. The objective of the plan is to provide a framework on how the town can develop. It should provide ideas on how the goals of the plan can be met. The plan should also link in with the NSS and NDP. The plan is a calculated vision for the future and may be looked at when assessing other planning applications.
