The Guidelines are aimed at ensuring that local authorities, in their planning and transport roles work pro-actively with the National Roads Authority ensuring that transport and land use planning considerations are taken into account at the early stages of both development plan and development management processes. This is to ensure that future development in the vicinity of national roads is guided to the most suitable location and that development on the national roads network is planned for and managed in a complementary and integrated manner.
The guidelines set out a clear national policy framework that local authorities will use in guiding development essential to Ireland's economic recovery to the most appropriate locations. This type of joined-up thinking is essential to the Government’s core objective of creating jobs. At the same time we must protect the major investment in national roads in recent years by facilitating reasonable development proposals that meet road design and safety criteria and that otherwise accord with proper planning and sustainable development.
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The guidelines highlight the need for early engagement and dialogue between the NRA and planning authorities in respect of devising appropriate policies and objectives for managing development within the broader context of the national road network and functions.
These guidelines will primarily apply to the national roads network and set out policy with regard to planning considerations relating to development affecting national roads outside the 50-kph speed limit zones for cities, towns and villages.
The guidelines are being issued by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), thereby underpinned by statute. Planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála area required to have regard to the guidelines in carrying out their functions under the Planning Acts.
(CD/GK)
