The Gazette 1981

JULY-AUGUST 1981

GAZETTE

1. Do es it comply with regulations on planning submissions? 2. Is the site in an area of high amenity, or are there other special environmental factors? Should any or all of the following bodies be notified, the Arts Council, Bord Failte, An Taisce, The National M o n u m e n ts A d v i s o ry C o u n c i l, o t h er L o c al Authorities? 3. What other technical inputs are required from R o a d s , S a n i t a ry S e r v i c e s, C o mm u n i ty and Environment, Fire Officers, Development, etc., Housing Ac t? 4. Has the proposal any policy implications — does it conflict with planning policies — if so, is this conflict important? 5. Is the proposal acceptable in the context of the zoning objectives of its location? 6. Do es it affect the amenities of a more sensitive use adjoining it, i.e. factory, major offices or shopping alongside residential use? 7. Is it in a conservation area, or does it affect buildings listed for preservation in the Development Plan? 8. What effect will the massing, scale, height of the proposal have on adjoining areas — what is the physical condition of the area in question? 9. Can it comply with Ro ad s, Fire Chiefs, Sanitary Services etc. requirements? 10. Can it meet site development standards on plot ratio, site coverage, space around buildings, parking provision, residential density? Are deviations important? 11. Do es it provide for sufficient amenity open space (where relevant) and for planting of trees and shrubs? 12. Do es it constitute proper planning and development of the area — could it be made to do so by conditions?

neighbourhood. Two neighbourhoods, will, in turn, support a post primary school. Tlw Planning Act requires that proposals to develop land must have permission of the planning authority, with or without conditions, except in minor cases which are exempted from planning control and further lays down, in Section 26 of the Ac t, restrictions on the planning authority in considering the proper planning and development of its area. The effect of policy "Obviously, main policy statements infringe in varying degrees on different development proposals. Major projects are affected in a significant way and minor ones in a more general way. The intermediate link between the policy and the site standards are the zoning objectives for each area. Thus, extensions to houses, etc. in an area the objective for which is to protect and/or improve residential amenity will be judged mainly on whether or not it fulfills this zoning objective and meets minimum site standards. The conversion of houses to flats, aside from being measured against these two criteria, may also have to comply with declared policy for flat development in different parts of the planning authority area. The area to be considered, as well as main policy implications, also varies tremendously. A major factory or residential proposal on the fringe of an urban area may accord with general residential and industrial policy, may comply with the zoning objective, but may also overburden the roads or Sanitary Services network in the larger area and thus be unacceptable. Works of a minor nature usually involve only the immediate area but, if in a sensitive area of outstanding civic design or natural beauty, must be reported within policy contexts. "What, in fact, happens when a planning application is made and against what environmental and other factors is it measured? The criteria may be summarised as follows:-

F r om left: Mr. Michael Greene, Director, Construction Industry Federation, Mr. John Gore-Grimes, Solicitor, Mr. Sean McKo n e, Ho n. Secretary, Construction Industry Federation, and Mr. John Prendergast, Assistant City and County Manager, Dublin.