Development Plan Stage 3: The Draft Plan

The Draft Plan is the Departments preferred set of policies, proposals and designations for the plan area.  It consists of a written statement and accompanying maps.  It is augmented by a number of supplementary reports which may include where appropriate an Environmental Report, an Appropriate Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment together with  various topic based technical supplements.

There is a statutory consultation period of 8 weeks during which formal objections may be made.

Any objections received are made available for public inspection.  There is then a statutory consultation period of 8 weeks during which formal representations about objections may be made.  These representations are often referred to as counter-objections.

The Department assesses all comments received and may request the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to hold an independent examination for the purpose of considering objections and counter-objections.