Mr. David Walsh:

I take that point, perhaps not on the scheme of this Bill but as part of a broad review. As matters stand, a local authority can take account of the county development plan or a local area plan and in its own decision-making decide to materially contravene it. It can assess what is in place.

In making a decision a local authority can state that what is included might not be reflected in the zoning. That also applies to the board. If it has to take account of what the local authority states, that it is completely against it, that will be a major factor in the board determining whether to accept the application, in the first instance, and whether to grant planning, with or without conditions.