Planning and Development Act 2024

• Permanent Page URL

Settlement-specific objectives

52. (1) A planning authority shall prepare a statement containing—

(a) objectives of the types specified in subsection (3) (in this Part referred to as “settlement-specific objectives”), in respect of—

(i) all settlements with a population of 1,500 or more at the last census, other than a city,

(ii) settlements with a population of less than 1,500 at the last census, where the planning authority considers that the settlement concerned has the capacity to accommodate significant growth relative to the scale of the settlement,

(iii) any Gaeltacht to which subsection (8) applies, and

(iv) any inhabited offshore island to which subsection (8) applies,

(b) a summary of the role and function of each settlement for which settlement- specific objectives are provided under this section, consistent with the settlement hierarchy or the settlement strategy, as the case may be, and

(c) a map identifying—

(i) the boundaries of each settlement to which the settlement-specific objectives relate,

(ii) the zoning objectives applicable to the functional area as set out in the integrated overall strategy of the development plan in accordance with subsection (6) of section 43 ,

(iii) any area which has been designated as an area in respect of which a priority area plan is required to be prepared,

(iv) any area which has been designated in a regional spatial and economic strategy as an area in respect of which a coordinated area plan is required to be prepared,

(v) the core retail area of any town centre,

(vi) any area that is the subject of an objective under subsection (4) or (5),

(vii) the indicative location or alignment of planned elements of physical infrastructure, including road infrastructure, rail infrastructure, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and air and sea transport infrastructure,

(viii) the location of elements of the natural and built heritage identified at paragraph (a) to paragraph (m) of subsection (2) of section 50 , and

(ix) any European site.

(2) Where the functional area of a planning authority consists of or includes a city, the planning authority shall prepare settlement-specific objectives for—

(a) any part of the city in respect of which a priority area plan is required to be prepared, and

(b) any other part of the city containing lands that the planning authority considers—

(i) to be suitable for significant growth and regeneration, and

(ii) would benefit from being the subject of specific objectives,

and references in this section to a settlement shall, in such cases, be construed as references to the part of the city concerned.

(3) The settlement-specific objectives are—

(a) objectives for implementing in the settlement concerned the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of section 43 ,

(b) sustainable placemaking objectives relevant to the protection, renewal and growth of the settlement concerned, having regard to the physical, socio-economic, cultural and environmental context of the settlement, and

(c) objectives relating to such other matters as may be prescribed.

(4) Where paragraph (a) of subsection (2) applies, the settlement-specific objectives may also include any of the following for the purpose of guiding the preparation of the priority area plan:

(a) objectives of the type specified in section 51 which shall be applicable to a particular site or particular land within the overall area to be the subject of a priority area plan;

(b) a specification, in a manner that is materially consistent with relevant National Planning Policies and Measures, of a range of densities and building heights within the site or land referred to in paragraph (a);

(c) details of the estimated capacity of the overall area to be the subject of the priority area plan to accommodate development, having regard to the range of densities and building heights specified under paragraph (b).

(5) Where paragraph (b) of subsection (2) applies, the settlement-specific objectives shall also include the following:

(a) objectives of the type specified in section 51 which shall be applicable to a particular site or particular land within the part of the city concerned;

(b) a specification, in a manner that is materially consistent with relevant National Planning Policies and Measures, of a range of densities and building heights within the site or land referred to in paragraph (a);

(c) details of the estimated capacity of that site or land to accommodate development, having regard to the range of densities and building heights specified under paragraph (b).

(6) A statement prepared in accordance with subsection (1) may, subject to subsection (7), set out reasons for which permission for a proposed development may be refused on the ground that a grant of permission would be premature pending the making of an urban area plan, priority area plan or coordinated area plan for an area which includes the site of the proposed development.

(7) The reasons which may be set out under subsection (6) shall be limited to—

(a) the need to prescribe in a plan referred to in subsection (6) a layout for infrastructure serving the site or area concerned prior to the grant of permission for proposed development,

(b) the need to designate in such a plan parts of the site or area concerned as being appropriate to accommodate necessary infrastructural, community and amenity facilities or uses prior to the grant of permission for proposed development, or

(c) the need to set out in such a plan, prior to the grant of permission, the sequence or phases in which the site or area concerned should be developed, having regard to the timing of the provision of infrastructure and community and amenity facilities or uses necessary for the development of sustainable communities.

(8) This subsection applies in respect of a Gaeltacht or inhabited offshore island situated within the functional area of the planning authority that is—

(a) in need of physical, social or economic renewal, or

(b) requires the coordinated delivery of physical or other infrastructure that cannot otherwise be provided for in settlement-specific objectives of the development plan in accordance with this section for the Gaeltacht or inhabited offshore island concerned.