DE BURCA SAYS STRATEGIC PLANNING GUIDELINES ARE A SHAMBLES

In its decision on an appeal by the developer, Chamberway, against two planning conditions laid down by Wicklow County Council, the Board clearly demonstrated that its interpretation of "local growth" as introduced by the Strategic Planning Guidelines differed fundamentally from that of Wicklow County Council.

Green party councillor, Deirdre de Burca has argued that the critical issue of defining what the Strategic Planning Guidelines mean by "local growth" has been fudged by the Department of the Environment. "Essentially we now see a sharp divergence of opinion between local authorities, an Bord Pleanala and possibly the Department of the Environment in relation to what is meant by local growth" she says. "No clear definition has been provided and this will render the legislation completely ineffective".

Councillor de Burca believes that the present difficulties in relation to the implementation of the Strategic Planning Guidelines have been caused by both flawed legislation and a lack of co-ordination between the key statutory bodies responsible for planning in the country.

According to de Burca, a previous example of the weakness of the legislation underpinning the Strategic Planning Guidelines has been highlighted in relation to the issue of enforcement. "We have had the experience in County Wicklow of Local Area Plans being produced for the villages of Kilcoole and Newtown which are blatantly in breach of the SPGs" she says. "There are no mechanisms for sanctioning local authorities that refuse to fulfil their responsibilities under the SPGs" she adds.

Councillor de Burca is calling on the Minister for the Environment to provid e immediate assistance to local authorities in agreeing a definition of "local growth" which is true to the original intention of the Strategic Planning Guidelines and to amend, if necessary, the Planning and Development Act 2000 to ensure that this definition has a legal basis.

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.