The Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) has published its latest Case Study Paper – CSP07 – Quarries and the Local Authority Development Plan. The case study paper is published in accordance with the OPR’s Strategic Planning Research Programme 2023 – 2025.
The planning system plays a key role in the management of natural resources and the protection of natural and cultural heritage. This role was recognised in the Ministerial Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Quarries and Ancillary Activities which were published in 2004. As the planning system embarks on further reform this case study paper provides an overview of how planning authorities have addressed the guidelines and the extractive industry sector in general.
The case study paper draws on the OPR’s experience and learnings from conducting reviews of city and county development plans across the State and its review of eight local authorities and An Bord Pleanála. In addition as part of the research associated with the case study paper 11 local authorities and the three regional assemblies were asked to complete a questionnaire relating to their existing development plan and Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) policy to gain an insight into their experience of implementation of the Ministerial guidelines. The 11 local authorities selected were chosen to ensure a balanced geographical spread, to capture those that manage quarries near protected landscapes and those with bespoke policy in place. The results provided valuable local and regional context and insights.
The key findings from the research include:
- A need to revise and update the Ministerial Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Quarries and Ancillary Activities to reflect the significant evolution of planning and environmental policy and legislation since the publication of the original guidelines in 2004.
- A need for revised Ministerial Guidelines to align with the new National Planning Statement approach provided for under the Planning and Development Act 2024. Key areas to include:
– Enhanced focus on Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA);
– Promotion of the circular economy principles, particularly the recycling of aggregates;
– Greater emphasis on climate action;
– Strengthened provisions for public participation and community engagement; and
– Further advice on the reinstatement and/or future use of quarry sites post-extraction, having regard to local biodiversity. - Consideration of the location of aggregate reserves/existing quarries in the review of Ministerial Guidelines on Rural Housing.
- Establishment of a national register of extractive industries in Ireland.
- Development of a national prediction system for aggregate supply and demand.
- Development of a National Policy Statement on marine aggregates.
- An enhanced role for regional assemblies in the extractive industry.
- Implementation of Section 356 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 to establish designated regional enforcement authorities.
- The inclusion of quarry data in development plans.
- The scoping out of ongoing training of local authority and regional assembly staff.
In keeping with the goals and objectives of the OPR’s Planning Research Framework this case study paper is intended to assist in addressing knowledge gaps, provide support for practitioners and planning authorities and highlight best practice to foster shared learning. This case study paper is the seventh publication in this series. See all case study papers here