Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The planning and development of new areas for tourism and recreational purposes is a matter for local authorities, within the context of their role as planning authorities in the Irish planning system. Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001, provides that a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions.

A core function of local authorities, as planning authorities, is to develop a city or county development plan for their administrative area every six years. The development plan is the principal planning strategy document of the relevant local authority and sets out the relevant local planning policies and development objectives related to the provision of amenities, the protection of the landscape and an overall spatial pattern of development in the city or county area.

Under Section 10(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the development plan must set out objectives for the zoning of land or particular areas for the development of particular types of uses. Under the Act, decisions on policymaking and land use zoning are a reserved function of the elected members in the preparation of their development plan.

The Development Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities issued by my Department in June 2022 provide an important reference manual to assist local authorities in ensuring that their city or county development plan is consistent with the strategic national and regional planning policy, and thereby establish a ‘plan-led’ context for decision-making by planning authorities.

The Development Plans Guidelines provide guidance for local authorities in drafting development plan objectives and promote an evidence-based approach to the provision of new amenities and facilities based on an analysis of existing local amenities and the anticipated demand for new development, in line with the principles of proper planning and development. They also set out guidance in relation to the provision of standardised zoning objectives in the development plan, including for the provision of tourism related facilities and amenities, while noting that the need for and provision of certain zonings will depend on the strategic policies and the context of the relevant planning authority.

Accordingly, it is a matter for each planning authority to determine an overall policy approach for tourism-related activities, which may include the provision of serviced parking areas for motorhomes where necessary and appropriate, within the context of the overall spatial strategy and relevant local policies in their development plan. The development plan will subsequently provide the policy framework for future development and ensuing planning decisions on planning applications in their administrative area.