Press Release issued 12th January 2021
Public Consultation on DLR’s Draft County Development Plan
Explore our Virtual Room and give us your views
The Draft County Development Plan 2022-2028 is now available online and we are inviting people to join the conversation and give us their views on the Draft Plan. We encourage members of the public, businesses, resident associations, community organisations, youth groups, children and groups that represent children to comment on the Draft Plan. The first consultation phase has commenced today 12th January and will run up to and including the 16th April 2021.
“We are midway through the preparation of the County Development Plan for the years 2022-2028. When this plan is implemented it will ensure for six years that there is inclusive, coherent and consistent planning across the County. The full Plan will be voted on by councillors later in 2021. For the first time we have created a virtual room which the public can access to see all aspects of the Draft Plan. We welcome all feedback on the Draft Plan and look forward to hearing from our citizens”.
The process of preparation of the Draft Plan kicked off this time last year when we sought views from the public to frame the general direction of the Draft Plan. The issues that were raised by the public included a growing concern around climate change, the need for housing choice and the desire for sustainable neighbourhoods with good community infrastructure.
“In normal times we would have a physical display at the same time but we have made the decision to delay the public display until after 31st January*. For anyone who isn’t able to view it on line they will be able to view it in the Ferry terminal in Dun Laoghaire town for the full required ten weeks from the start of February through to April. We are proceeding with the display based on central government advice which has stipulated that the Planning system will continue to operate. We are also looking for a suitable venue on the West side of the County. An advert will run in the National press with full details of both displays and our hope is that the public will be able to meet with us to discuss any aspect of the Draft Plan”.
The Draft Plan sets out a spatial framework for development in the County over the six year period from 2022 – 2028 and establishes that there is enough land zoned to allow for circa 20,000 new homes in both existing and new neighbourhoods. The Draft Plan is underpinned by five strategic county outcomes and the overarching concept of the “ten minute” neighbourhood whereby communities are able to walk, cycle or use high quality public transport to get to the facilities they need for day to day living. The Plan also introduces a brand new zoning objective – Sustainable Neighbourhood Infrastructure – which recognises the wealth of facilities – such as schools, community facilities, healthcare and childcare – that serve the community in the County.
To find out more about the Draft County Development Plan, please view here or watch our video here.
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*The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD has on the 6th January 2021 confirmed that the planning system will continue to operate subject to appropriate safety protocols and services operating online where feasible. Hence the Planning Authority decision to proceed and display the Plan online and to run the physical display for ten weeks from the start of February.
Note: It is our intention at corbawnmatters to provide insights into different aspects of this plan shortly. Also, we will open up a ‘Comments’ section to facilitate discussion/ debate. There are many fascinating elements in the plan and there are some that are more controversial e.g. DLR plans to ringfence some 100 acres of lands that are currently part of our Green Belt, for possible future housing projects.
There is a global Biodiversity crisis that has contributed to the emergence of the current pandemic as humans encroach ever more on the habitats of other species. Ireland and DLR are part of this, and within the plan, there are numerous very important measures proposed to address this. This is good news, but we need to ensure that these proposals are supported by making submissions and by insisting on proper monitoring and feedback over the next planning cycle.
Make your voice heard. The current consultation phase commenced on 12th January and people may submit comments and observations up to and including the 16th April 2021.
To view the Plan, click the link below:
https://www.dlrcoco.ie/en/county-development-plan/draft-county-development-plan-2022-2028