What is An Taisce’s aim in making planning submissions?

The majority of our planning submissions are observations and would generally raise the need for further assessment of one or more aspects of the planning application as well as issues of ensuring compliance with local, national or EU policy. Our goal is to ensure that planning decisions are made in compliance with national and EU environmental law such as the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, Habitats and Birds Directives, Water Framework Directive, national climate mitigation policy, etc. All of these have to be factored into planning decisions at local council and An Bord Pleanála levels.

Our overall focus in our planning work is ensuring: 

• Environmental legal compliance in the planning process;
• The protection of our built and cultural heritage; and
• That planning in our rural areas, cities and towns is done as sustainably as possible for the wellbeing of both people and the environment.