Ms Mary Henchy:

The point the sector has been making is that while we understand the importance of central policy and the silver lining, there should be an opportunity for development plans to have regard to that and take it on board. It then becomes incorporated into the development plan as appropriate and translated to local level rather than coming in after the plan has been approved and taking precedence over it. I go back to the development plan being a contract with the residents of the county and the people at large in respect to it. Coming in with something behind it damages the whole consultation with people. From that perspective, therefore, there is nothing wrong with getting policy from the Government but there should be an opportunity for the members of a local authority to incorporate that into their development plan before it is applicable at development management stage. The link between development management and the policy documents is key. I hope that is clear.