1. Niall Cussen Principal Adviser DECLG
Shaping the Next Generation of National and Regional Spatial Policies in Ireland
Niall Cussen
Principal Adviser
DECLG

2. Evolution of Spatial Planning in Ireland
1st Oct 1964 – implementation of the first real planning act - created local authority development plan structure…
Up to 2002 – 88 (now post ) Planning Authorities – no overall statutory co-ordination mechanism…
2000 – Planning and Development Act, added legislative framework for Local Area Plans (sub-county) Regional Planning Guidelines (Co-ordination across local authorities)
2002 – National Spatial Strategy
2004 – First Regional Planning Guidelines

3. Ireland’s Planning System
Spatial Strategy
National
Regional
Regional Planning Guidelines
EU, National Legislation and Policy
EU Directives
Planning Act
Ministerial Guidelines
Capital programmes
Local Authority
Housing Strategy
Retail Strategy
Social and Economic Plan
Capital Programme
Development
Plans
(Inc Core Strategy)
Local
Local Plans
Establishes Policy Context for…
Assessment of and Decisions on Development Proposals
Application to Planning Authority (PA)
Bord Pleanála (Strategic Infrastructure) (SI)
PA Decision
SI Decision
Development/Refusal of PP
ABP decision to grant/refuse
Appeal?

4. Planning in Ireland: What Works/Doesn’t
Difference?
Plan-Led vs speculative development…

5. Improving our Planning Processes
Ensuring right type/quality of development happens in right places and at right time
Co-ordinating public and private sector activity to create the conditions where enterprise and job creation flourishes
Anticipating and meeting needs of all sectors/community: Employment, Housing, Infrastructure, Environment, Community
Focus: building communities - economies, not just buildings - alignment of national – regional – local priorities

6. Future Developments in Spatial Planning
National Level: National Planning Framework
Regional Level: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies
Local Level: City/County Plans
Local Economic and
Community Plan
Governance - Planning Regulator
NOAC

7. Development of a Successor National Spatial Strategy
A new strategy responding to a new economic and operational context (Medium Term Economic Strategy)
Building on both strengths and weaknesses of NSS
Statutory basis for development and approval
More strategic (concise)
North-South and East-West Linkages
Currently being considered by Government

8. What Might a National Planning Framework Address?
An integrated view of how Ireland should develop strategically
Urban and (not vs) Rural
Competitive, Sustainable Place-Making
Housing and other key property requirements
Connectivity, Resilience, Low Carbon
The Nationally Strategic Developments
Implementation – How? Who? When? How Much?

9. Potential Model: 3rd Scottish National Planning Framework

10. Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies
3 Regional Assemblies from 1/1/2015
Key Task: Preparation of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy to replace current regional planning guidelines in 2016
Minister will order commencement of RSES process – probably 2016 after NPF in place
Sub-regional dimension to RSES mirroring (largely) NUTS III areas
RSES to link national policies (NPF, MTES, APJ) to Local Authority statutory development plans and local economic and community plans
RSES delivery teams to be put in place

11. What Information do we have/need for new spatial plans?
Huge data advances since 2002
NIRSA/ESPON
Emerging ESRI work
Regional Indicators Report 2013
Rationalising will be key

12. Other information we can use for new spatial plans
Residential Land Availability (RLA)
Construction 2020 “dashboard”
Marine Institute database
Infrastructure Plans
Strategic Framework for Transport
Harnessing our Ocean Wealth
Harvest 2020

13. (Potential) Timelines – V Tight!
Q3 2014: Government to consider the approach
Establishment Order for new Assemblies
Q4 2014: Subject to Govt decision - Initiate NPF
Establish NPF High Level Delivery Team
Preparations to establish assemblies
Q1 2015: Second Planning Bill – Planning Regulator
NPF Initial Consultation Paper
Assemblies established
Q : Intensive drafting of NPF
EU Directive related Assessments
Q4 2015: Finalise NPF Options/Draft for Consultation
Q : Consultation followed by Finalisation by Govt
Q : Preparation of RSES to take account of NPF
Post 2016 Finalisation of RSES and preparation of new LECPs

14. Summary
Renewed focus on role of planning 50 years on since 1964
Plan-led development recognised as way forward within reformed Local Government and planning systems
Strong regional/spatial/economic dimension to reform
Much good data/policy development to build on
Major time pressures in building new strategies
Attitudes also need re-building