A Clare architect believes the new national planning and development bill will remove all future public influence on where to build in the county.
It follows the publication of new legislation by the Department of Housing this week which will aim to expedite the construction process throughout the country.
The 712 page long document has been described by Minister For Housing Darragh O’Brien as a ‘complete fitness check’ for the current regulations in the country.
Under the new plans, local authority County Development Plans will last for ten years rather than six.
This mean’s when Clare’s plan is due for renewal again in 2029, the finalised zoning objectives will last until 2039.
Additionally An Bord Pleanála will undergo a major resourcing and restructuring process and will emerge with a new name An Commisúin Pleanála.
The bill will hope to expedite the appeals process by introducing a statutory decision timeline, which the government claims will reduce the necessity for judicial reviews.
Ciarán Breen from Ciarán Breen Construction in Ennis believes the move will have major benefits.
A Clare architect however believes the new bill will simply continue to undermine local authorities and leave all the power at the door of Leinster House.
In August, a directive issued by Minister of State for Planning Kieran O’Donnell ordered Clare County Council to remove a special subsection in the county development which allowed houses to be built along national secondary routes.
The move effectively precluded the development of one off houses on a 186km stretch of road between the N67, N68 and N85.
Now the 52nd Directive of the new bill states that any public submission to zone land for residential use or otherwise will not be considered if deemed to interfere with an overall national strategy.
Ogonnelloe Resident and Clare Social Democrats Chair Gary Miley believes local decision making will become a thing of the past.
You can listen to the full interview below.
