National Framework
Strategic Environmental Assessment
Strategic environmental assessment is required pursuant to EU directives. It is a system for the evaluation of the environmental effects of implementing plans and programs in advance of their being adopted. It is to address at a higher and more strategic level, the risks of policies which may lead to undesirable environmental outcomes or unsustainable development.
The EU legislation requires states and state bodies to integrate environmental considerations into processes in relation to making plans and programmes which may have significant effects on the environment. This includes development plans, transport plans ,waste management plans and other such plans which set the framework and criteria for future permissions and consents for development.
It also applies to the special consents required under the habitats directive. Guidelines have been published to assist planning authorities and regional authorities in implementing the requirements in making the relevant plans and strategies.
Role of Strategy
The Sustainable Development Strategy for Ireland 1997 provided a strategic framework across the broad range of governmental areas including agriculture forestry and marine energy resources, transport tourism and commerce. It provided broad principles and strategies.
The strategy has been reviewed in 2002 and again in 2013. These reviews reflected the growing requirements for action on climate . The 2010 planning legislation incorporated strategic planning criteria and considerations. It encourage greater involvement by stakeholders and evidence-based policy.
Planning and development legislation must take account of sustainability. A more strategic view of development was to be taken. Sustainable development must be reflected in development plans. Regional assemblies are to have a role in setting planning guidelines and strategies. Economic social planning transport and land use strategies were to be coordinated.
National Planning Framework
The National Planning Framework is formulated and approved by the government. There is provision for consultation with public and local authorities regional assemblies an Bord Pleanala and prescribed bodies. It is to have regard to the European Spatial Development Perspective.
The government is to consider various policies and documents including the strategic environmental assessment strategic, risk assessment and an appropriate assessment before adopting the plan.
Prior to publication the draft must be submitted to the Oireachtas and obtain the approval of both houses. The government must have regard to any directions/resolution from it. The timeframe for the National Development Plan is 10 to 20 years with revisions every six years. It is to be kept under review.
Provisions were put in place to ensure that the National Development Plan is reflected in regional and county development plans. The provisions and objectives provide a broad national plan for sustainable planning and development nationally. They seek to secure balanced regional development and coordinate strategies reflected in regional, city and county plans.
2018 Act Framework
The 2018 legislation provides for the matters to be dealt with in the national development framework. These are to include
- strategic development requirements at a national level including employment,
- population change with consequent housing and commercial development requirements
- national infrastructure priorities in relation to transport, water, waste management, communication networks, energy healthcare education
commercial and community facilities.
It is to
- promote coordination of development between land and marine sectors in the context of the EU directive on maritime spatial planning
- conserve amenities of the natural and built environment
- conserve promote settlement and transportation strategies to reduce greenhouse gases.
The National Development Plan 2018 to 2027 is coordinated with the National Planning Framework. It sets out investment priorities designed to be integrated with the framework. The Transport 21 capital plan setting out capital investment in relation to transport system seeks to support the National Planning framework.
The national transport policy A Sustainable Transport Future 2009 sets out the proposals to achieve a sustainable transport system. It seeks to reduce reliance on carbon fuels and coordinate land-use and transport planning and policy. It encourages use of public transport, walking and cycling.
Planning Policy
The Planning Policy Statement 2015 by the Department sets out government principles and priorities in the planning process. It promotes
- plan lead and evidence-based approach
- proactive and sustainable development
- the transition to low carbon future and adaptation to climate change
- creation of sustainable communities
- conserivng the natural and cultural heritage
- supporting the protection and enhancement of environmental quality
- open fair and transparent
National Landscape Strategy
The National Landscape Strategy by the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht is made pursuant to the European Landscape Convention. It followed a public consultation. It seeks to provide a framework for the protection of cultural, social, economic and environmental values embedded in the landscape. It sets out core principles and objectives including
- recognising and protecting landscape in the law
- developing a national landscape character assessment
- developingd landscape policies
- providing for education research and trainingincr
- easing awareness
- enhancing public participation
Population
The National Planning Framework contemplates that the population of Ireland will grow to 5,700,000 by 2040. It seeks to accommodate the additional housing and employment needs that this entails and to ensure to enable rural and urban areas to successfully accommodate growth and change with the shift to the regions.
The national strategic outcomes are
- compact growth with 40% of new housing to be an existing built-up areas of cities towns and villages or infill or brownfield sites
- 50% of population growth within the five cities
- strengthened rural economies and communities
- sustainable mobility
- improved regional accessibility
- high quality international connectivity
- enhanced amenities and heritage
- enhanced regional accessibility
- sustainable management of water waste and environmental resources
- access to quality childcare education and health services
The framework sets out over 70 policy objectives on a range of areas. The National Planning Framework is to be implemented through urban and rural regeneration, development funds and national regeneration and development agencies. The planning regulator is to evaluate and assess development plans and regional spatial and economic strategies to ensure conformity and consistency with the National Planning Framework.
National Planning Framework Objectives
The objectives of the National Planning Framework are —
- to establish a broad national plan for the Government in relation to the strategic planning and sustainable development of urban and rural areas,
- to secure balanced regional development by maximising the potential of the regions, and support proper planning and sustainable development, and
- to secure the co-ordination of regional spatial and economic strategies and city and county development plans.
Considerations
The National Planning Framework shall —
- have regard to the document entitled “ EDSP – European Spatial Development Perspective Towards Balanced and Sustainable Development of the Territory of the European Union ” which was adopted on 11 May 1999 at Potsdam at the close of an Informal Council of EU Ministers responsible for spatial planning in Member States at Potsdam, 10 and 11 May 1999, and
- shall take account of the provisions of the Regional Development Strategy 2035 published by the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development and any document that amends or replaces a document to which this paragraph relates.
Review
The Government shall prepare and publish the National Planning Framework and keep its implementation under review. Every 6 years after the date of publication of the National Planning Framework, the Government shall either —
- revise the Framework or replace it with a new one, or
- publish a statement explaining why the Government has decided not to revise the Framework and include in the statement an indication of a date by which it will be revised or a new National Planning Framework will be published.
Provision shall be made by the Minister for public consultation in the preparation of a new or revised National Planning Framework including arrangements for consultation with —
- regional assemblies,
- local authorities,
- the Board,
- bodies prescribed under planning regulations for the purposes of public consultation on plan-making, and
- the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development, where that Department agrees to such consultation being undertaken with it.
The preparation of the National Planning Framework shall be subject to the provisions of relevant EU Environmental Directives including the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats (Appropriate Assessment) Directive. The Government shall submit the draft of the revised or new National Planning Framework, together with the Environmental Report and Appropriate Assessment Report for the approval of each House of the Oireachtas before it is published.
In preparing or revising the National Planning Framework, the Government shall have regard to any resolution or report of, or of any committee of, the Oireachtas that is made, during the period for consideration, as regards the proposed strategy or, as the case may be, the Framework as proposed to be revised.
Amendment or Replacement
Any amendment or replacement of the national spatial strategy or any revision or replacement of the national planning framework must deal with certain matters set out below for the purpose of the objectives of the National planning framework and in respect of the period that is not less than 10 more than 20 years after the publication in any revision thereof
- The identification of nationally strategic development requirements as respects cities, towns and rural areas in relation to employment, future population change, and associated housing and commercial development requirements;
- the indication of national infrastructure priorities to address the strategic delopment requirements as regards transportation (including public transportation), water services, waste management, energy and communications networks and the provision of educational, health care, retail, cultural and recreational facilities;
- the promotion of co-ordination of development between the terrestrial and marine sectors, having regard to Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning 4 , and of any measures taken by the State to give effect to that Directive;
- the conservation of the environment and its amenities, including the landscape and archaeological, architectural and natural heritage;
- the promotion of sustainable settlement and transportation strategies in urban and rural areas including the promotion of measures to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and to address the necessity of adaptation to climate change;
Marine Spatial Plans
The 2018 legislation provides for marine spatial plans. This implements EU directives in that regard.
Marine spatial planning is a process by which the state authorities analyse and organise activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives. The plans are sent to the European Union Commission.
The Minister makes the plan. A procedure applies to its adoption. There may be a single plan or different plans for different parts of the area. There may be a single plan and / or area plans. The marine area is the foreshore, territorial waters, exclusive economic zone and Continental shelf. It includes river estuaries.The marine spatial plans collectively are the National Marine Planning Framework.
The plans are to
- establish a national strategy in relation to strategic planning and sustainable development
- apply an ecosystem based approach to development
- encourage:location of relevant activities and developments
- provide for analysis and organisation of activities
Regard must be had to the economic, social and environmental aspects to sustain development and growth in the marine sector. Individual and interactive factors are to be considered. They may refer to
- fishing areas
- aquaculture areas
- installations for energy
- maritime transport routes
- nature and species conservation
- tourism underwater cultural heritage
- scientific research