Physical planning in Ireland: lessons from the Masonite decision

Abstract

Physical planning in Ireland was originally envisaged as a rational decision-making process involving the definition of objectives for the development of the locally governed area in question, the evaluation of alternative methods of furthering growth, choice and monitoring of results. This paper examines the extent to which the process as it has evolved now displays these characteristics. While the process of making local authority development plans is seen to conform to this model of decision-making, the subsequent development control process, where an individual proposal at a given location is evaluated, gives cause for concern. The authors note the absence of a rational process where a comparative evaluation of a number of sites is undertaken in order to show that the location under consideration is the best available one for the proposal. The inability of the planning authority or appeals board to assess the project on a full set of environmental criteria is also highlighted, together with the lack of connectivity between the stages in the development control process and the uneven access of relevant actors to these stages. The Masonite Corporation's application to Leitrim County Council for permission to construct a timber manufacturing plant at Drumsna is used as a case study to highlight the lack of rationality in decision-making within the physical planning process.