Niall Cussen, Planning Regulator, today launched four new Plan-Making Calculators developed by the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) which are available for use here.
These new user-friendly online calculators are designed to provide greater transparency and understanding of the timelines involved in preparing statutory plans under the Planning and Development Act 2024 (the Act of 2024).
Launching the calculators, Niall Cussen Planning Regulator said, “I’m delighted to launch these calculators which provide transparency over the steps and timeframes involved in the plan preparation process. This is in response to the changes introduced by the Act of 2024 and is a timely resource for the planning sector. Within the OPR we are committed to enhancing openness and consistency in the planning system, while also supporting local authorities in delivering high-quality, timely development plans and this is another support for those involved in the process.”
The four new Plan-Making Calculators support users to better understand the key stages and indicative timeframes associated with the plan-making process. The calculators are expected to benefit a wide range of stakeholders including local authorities, planning professionals, and members of the public. The calculators provide indicative timeframes for five different plan-types:
- Development Plans
- Variations
- Priority Area Plans
- Joint Area Plans
- Coordinated Area Plans.
By choosing the plan-type and the relevant milestones, the tool provides an indicative timeframe for the plan-making process based on statutory timeframes specified in the Act of 2024.
The Plan-Making Calculators are freely available and can be accessed online by anyone interested in understanding or participating in the planning process (insert link).