downloads/RPGs/Border Regional Authority RPGs 2010-2022.pdf

Border Regional Authority Planning Guidelines 2010 – 2022 – CATHAOIRLEACH’S INTRODUCTION / FOREWORD
CATHAOIRLEACH’S INTRODUCTION / FOREWORD
The review of the Regional Planning Guidelines for the Border Region has taken place at a time of
significant global and national challenges in terms of the economy, emerging EU Directives and national
legislation and policy changes in areas of spatial planning and environmental management. There is also
the legacy of development that has taken place during the ‘Celtic Tiger’ years, which presents both
challenges and opportunities for the future development of the Region.
This is the second time that Regional Planning Guidelines have been prepared for the Border Region and
cover the period from 2010 – 2022. The new Guidelines build upon the experiences and progress made
under the previous Guidelines.
The new Regional Planning Guidelines are prescriptive in setting out a planning framework for the proper
planning and development of the region and ensuring that we provide sustainable communities for our
citizens in the coming years. The Guidelines provide a long term planning framework for the region and
have been closely aligned with the National Spatial Strategy and National Development Plan in Ireland and
the Regional Development Strategy in Northern Ireland.
The new Guidelines also provide a more integrated model for the growth and development of the Region as
spatial planning has been closely aligned with the economy and proposed infrastructure within all relevant
sectoral areas. This new approach has been complimented by more detailed consideration given to areas
such as climate change, environmental management and flood risk management all of which pose
significant challenges for policy makers.
These Guidelines could not have come about without the input and hard work of many Local Authority staff
within the Region and the significant input from various Governmental Departments and Agencies. The role
of Forfás, in the preparation of the background Regional Strategic Agenda Reports which formed the basis
of the Regional Economic Strategy were a welcome addition to revised Guidelines. It is also important to
recognise the valued contributions from those who participated in the public consultation processes which
assisted greatly in framing and developing an inclusive and meaningful set of Guidelines up to 2022. I
would also like to acknowledge the contribution by the former Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Hubert Keaney, to the
review process.
Matt Carthy
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Matt Carthy
Cathaoirleach 2010/2011
Border Regional Authority
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