Oral Hearing for the Dublin Waste to Energy Project

An Bord Pleanala and the Planning Process

The Planning Process

The planning process for the proposed Dublin Waste to Energy Plant is different to that of an ordinary development. As the plant is being developed by the four Dublin local authorities, it is necessary for approval to be sought directly from An Bord Pleanala. Normally planning permission is sought from the local authority where a proposed development is located. The local authority decision to either grant or refuse permission may subsequently be appealed to the Board.

The oral hearing stage is just one step in the process of gaining planning approval. This process began some time ago for the proposed Dublin Waste to Energy Plant when Dublin City Council lodged their submission to the Board. Following submitting the planning application, the next step in the process was for the applicant, Dublin City Council, to publish a notice in the newspapers. This was followed by a period in which the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was available to the public as well as copies of the EIS issued to a number of prescribed agencies directly, such as An Taisce and the Heritage Council.

When an application is particularly complex, An Bord Pleanala will generally call for an oral hearing. This is the stage at which the proposed Dublin Waste to Energy Plant is about to enter.

The oral hearing gives the applicant and those who have made a submission, and possibly other interested parties a chance to have their case heard. The oral hearing is chaired by an Inspector who reports directly to the Board. At the end of the oral hearing, the Inspector makes a recommendation to the Board however, An Bord Pleanala is not obliged to uphold the Inspectors recommendation.

The format that each oral hearing will take will be set out by the Inspector on the first day of the hearing.

About An Bord Pleanala

An Bord Pleanála (The Planning Board) was established in 1977 under the Local Government Act, 1976 and is responsible for the determination of appeals and a number of certain other planning duties. Under the 2000 Planning Act, An Bord Pleanala became responsible for assessing and determining major local authority infrastructural developments within an authority’s own functional area and also local authority proposals for the compulsory acquisition of land. This is why the proposed Waste to Energy Plant must apply directly to the Board and not through the ordinary channels.

The Board itself consists of ten members including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and it is supported by a team of Inspectors and professional and administrative staff. For more information on An Bord Pleanala.