Planning System for the Common Good - Not for Developers
Monday, July 06, 2009
Planning System for the Common Good - Not for Developers
The country's planning system exists for the common good and not for landowners or developers, the new President of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI), Mr Gerry Sheeran, has stated.
He pointed to the "history of excessive zoning of land for development" which benefitted private individuals but had negative effects on the community at large.
Mr Sheeran said that in his term of office as President of the IPI - which represents 700 professional planners - he would focus on ensuring that there is a better understanding of the core principle of planning which is the common good.
He stated: "The planning process exists for the benefit of the community at large and not for sectoral interests, whether they be landowners, private individuals or developers.
"An example of this is the history of excessive zoning of land for development which benefits private individuals but has negative effects on the community at large in terms of quality of life, unsustainability of travel patterns and cost of providing additional infrastructure."
Some of the core principles of the common good and sustainable development, he said, were to promote:
- Excellence of design while protecting and enhancing the natural and manmade environment and historical and cultural resources
- Minimising the use of the earth's non-renewable resources while promoting the use of renewable resources within the capacity for regeneration
- Social inclusion to ensure an improved quality of life for all
- Providing for decision making at the appropriate level
"This last core principal points to the importance of local democracy and I consider that local councillors have a strategic role to play through Development Plans and Local Area Plans, particularly in the sequencing of social and community facilities to keep pace with residential development. This would include schools, health centres, local shops, community facilities, playing pitches, open space and provision for walking and cycling," he said.