Here you will find our response to the Government of Ireland’s consultation on the draft revised National Planning Framework (12 September 2024). This response was developed by our Ireland Policy Group.
Key Recommendations
- Embrace biodiversity:
- The increased focus on biodiversity is welcomed; however,
- further intentional integration of environmental and ecological policies is needed.
- A strategic plan for managing development pressures is needed:
- This should begin with robust site and route selection to avoid environmental impacts.
- Co-location of renewable technologies should be supported by feasibility studies.
- Housing development should consider recreational pressures on local biodiversity.
- Biodiversity outside of existing designations:
- Strategic planning should identify and protect biodiversity features outside existing designations.
- A national approach is needed, but this should be relatable to regional or local planning tiers.
- Biodiversity checklist:
- Development proposals below the EIA threshold should be subject to a Biodiversity Checklist to support decision-making.
- Addressing capacity issues:
- There is a shortage of skilled workforce in the ecological sector in Ireland which needs to be addressed.
- Actions for biodiversity will be undermined without sufficient ecological expertise.
- Legislation alignment:
- Need consolidation of fragmented legislation to better align with EU directives; including,
- simplification and clear policy guidance.
- Government guidance on biodiversity:
- Official guidance from the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) on biodiversity in planning is necessary.
- Guidance should include the mitigation hierarchy to avoid and minimise impacts on biodiversity.