COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 09, 2018

MOTION NO.14

MOTION: Councillor M. Duff, Councillor P. Kearns, Councillor B. Bonner

This Council is concerned at the impact that Circular Letter PL 02/2018, issued by Minister Eoghan Murphy will have on the ability of elected members to properly understand the technical and planning implications of planning applications in their area. These presentations at our Area Committee are essential in informing our submissions as part of the formal planning process and helping us advise residents on their planning submissions.

We ask that the Chief Executive send a letter to the Minister, outlining our concerns about the impact that this decision will have on our ability to properly carry out our functions as elected representatives, and asking for the following clarification from the Minister in relation to the Circular

(1) Does the ability of Planners to give technical and planning advice to developers in pre planning consultation meetings remain uneffected?

(2)Has the Department received legal advice on how this Circular impacts on the Aarhus Convention which guarantees Public Access to information, Public Participation in decision making and access to Justice and Environmental matters, while issuing no direction to Local Authority planning staff on their pre Part 3 consultation with private developers on the parameters of their application?

(3) What impact does this circular have on holding planning information meetings with Residents etc?

(4) On what legal basis was this direction, which allows the Minister to direct officials about the manner in which they exercise their powers and how they inform elected members regarding planning applications made?

We further propose that in the event of this circular not being withdrawn, that all pre planning proposals which will have a significant impact on our local areas be presented to the area committee in advance of a formal planning application being lodged.

REPORT:

If this Motion is passed, a letter will issue to the relevant Minister and when a reply is received, it will be issued to the Members.