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GAZETTE
JULY-AUGUST 1981
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:-
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?
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.