2. General
2.1 There will be a variety of local authority projects in terms of nature, size and scale for which approval under s.177AE is required. Previously these projects have been dealt with by local authorities under s.179 of the Planning and Development Act (as amended) and Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (as amended). An Bord Pleanála is conscious that submission of these types of proposals is a change of practice with greater detail and information required due to (a) statutory requirements and (b) because the decision making process is now outside the remit of the local authority, local knowledge that might have been taken for granted by the local authority may now need to be set out in the application.
2.2 An Bord Pleanála’s decision:
An Bord Pleanála may
- approve with or without modifications;
- approve in part only with or without modifications; and
- refuse to approve.
An Bord Pleanála may attach conditions as it sees appropriate including in relation to the construction, financing or provision of a facility or service constituting a community gain.
On receipt of An Bord Pleanála’s decision, the local authority is required to make a copy of the decision and the Natura Impact Statement available for public inspection and/or purchase.