New fast-track planning rules will apply to major environmental, transport or energy developments, writes Olivia Kelly
A cable car service running along the River Liffey in Dublin called the "Suas", a 21-hectare extension to Dublin Port and the new Metro North rail line to Dublin airport and Swords, are among 53 projects seeking fast-track planning approval from An Bord Pleanála.
The Strategic Infrastructure Act, which came into force last January, directs that certain projects, particularly those relating to major transport, environment or energy schemes, be handled directly by An Bord Pleanála, rather than first having to be dealt with by local authorities.
The schemes seeking fast-track approval, include projects which have already received considerable national attention, such as the route of the Corrib onshore gas pipeline, Metro North, and the extension of the red Luas line from Tallaght to Citywest.
Others such as the "Suas" surfaced briefly as a concept some time ago and are just now emerging as a real prospect.
The Liffey Cable Car Company Ltd is seeking rapid approval for the Suas which would run along the side of the river Liffey from Heuston Station to Dublin Docklands.
Designed more as a tourist attraction than a transport service, the Suas, which is understood to have been inspired by the success of the London Eye, would transport sightseers along the Liffey quays, taking advantage of the removal of large lorries from the quayside.
A new €1 billion commercial and residential development for Ceannt Station in Galway city is also seeking to go the fast track route. This proposal has been criticised by Labour Party president Michael D Higgins and environmental groups unhappy that only one quarter of the site is to be used for transport while three quarters are to be developed for housing, retail and commercial outlets.
A more popular proposal is likely to be the reopening of the railway line between Clonsilla in west Dublin and Dunboyne, Co Meath. This transport link has been sought by local politicians and residents of Meath for several years and could be the first step towards reopening the Dublin to Navan line.
Pre-application consultations are ongoing between the proponents of the 53 schemes and not all of them will be permitted to make planning applications under the fast-track system.
The project must satisfy certain criteria such as being of national or regional importance or being a major transport, energy or environmental development.
On this basis, certain application from the Dublin airport Authority may not make the cut. While the Pier D extension at Dublin Airport would almost certainly be accepted, the authority could have difficulties in justifying the inclusion of a staff car park or a boiler house in the fast-track process. If these elements were rejected they would have to go through the Fingal County Council planning office, which could cause scheduling problems for the airport authority.
This fast-track approach to planning has been criticised for removing the local democracy element from the planning process, however An Bord Pleanála chairman John O'Connor is adamant that the public will be fully involved.
In addition to oral hearings, local authorities will be required to submit a report, which includes the views of elected representatives, on any development occurring in their area.
Concerns have also been raised in relation to the pre-application consultations. Previously developers would have no contact with the board's inspectors, however these pre-application meetings are conducted by inspectors, although not the ones adjudicating on the eventual application.
Mr O'Connor says the involvement of the consulting inspector ends once the application is submitted and the board does not envisage any contact between inspectors.