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

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 2014 - 31) 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

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?

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

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

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

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

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?

Potential Model: 3rd Scottish National Planning Framework

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

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

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

(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 Q2-3 2015: Intensive drafting of NPF EU Directive related Assessments Q4 2015: Finalise NPF Options/Draft for Consultation Q1-2 2016: Consultation followed by Finalisation by Govt Q2-3 2016: Preparation of RSES to take account of NPF Post 2016 Finalisation of RSES and preparation of new LECPs

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