Major infrastructure projects will face oral hearings, says board

PROMOTERS of major transport and energy projects which are due to enjoy a new fast-tracked planning process will still face oral planning hearings to allow local communities voice their opinions.

Under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, promoters of projects like roads, railways, power stations, dumps, incinerators or wind farms can avoid the normal planning process by taking planning applications directly to An Bord Pleanála.

The act, due to come into effect this year, was drawn up in response to delays caused to major infrastructural projects by objections and appeals, but it has been criticised for smoothing the path of developers while weakening the public’s say.