"National Planning Framework will give guidance to local authorities, like Waterford" - Minister Cummins

Fine Gael Minister, John Cummins has a said the revised National Planning Framework will give clarity to local authorities like Waterford Council with regard to zoning of land for house building.

Responding to comments made on the same matter by Sinn Féin's, Deputy Conor McGuinness (see here), in which he expressed criticism of the NPF, Minister Cummins said, through a spokesperson: "The revised National Planning Framework has now passed through the Oireachtas and is significant to moving forward with the zoning of land for house building.

“Guidance will now issue to give clarity to local authorities, like Waterford, so that they may translate the revised housing requirements at a national level into their local city and county development plans and identify the right amount of zoned land that will be required to increase housing output in the county."

In response to Deputy McGuinness' comments, which appeared on waterford-news.ie, the spokesperson said: "As Deputy McGuinness is aware, the NPF contains a range of ambitious objectives for Waterford including specific strategic infrastructure priorities as key growth enablers for the county including delivering the North Quays SDZ regeneration project and the relocation of Waterford train station, the development and expansion of the South East Technological University and the provision of a citywide public transport system based on the Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy."

“Significant funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, has been allocated to Waterford for projects including the Waterford City Centre Regeneration and Waterford North Quays projects," said the spokesperson.

“The NPF identifies regional airports, like Waterford, as a key enabler of economic and regional development and sets as an objective its development to maintain and enhance connectivity," she added

“With regard to the strategic importance of Waterford Port, the NPF also notes that the development of Waterford Port has been identified as having the potential to serve a wider, national marketplace beyond its immediate region."

The spokesperson went on to comment: "The National Development Plan which is due in the coming months will also address these matters. Regarding MASP boundaries, the NPF contains an objective requiring that the MASP cities, including the Waterford Metropolitan area, shall be reviewed by the Regional Assemblies in tandem with the appropriate authorities and as part of a review of the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. Work is already underway on this and Minister Cummins is working closely with Department officials. Minister Cummins will continue to ensure Waterford is prioritised at the most senior level in Government.”