Planning goes behind closed doors

THE new Strategic Infrastructure Bill threatens the democratic principles that are the foundation stone of our planning system. It is founded on the principle that the regulation of development is a matter that should normally be settled locally.

It is based on development plans made at open meetings. Planning applications that are not in conformity with development plans are advertised so that the public are aware of the intended departure from the plan and can offer their comments.

Such applications are then determined, again at open meetings to which the public have access. To protect the public from ill-considered development, a special majority is required among elected representatives to contravene the plan. Under the terms of the bill all these decisions will be made in Dublin, behind closed doors and without any protection for democratically-made development plans.