Development Incentives and Control:

The functions of the Planning Department may be categorised under the following headings:-
1.Development Control
2.Development Plan
3.Industrial Development (Promotion)

Local Government Planning & Development Acts 1963 – 2001<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Building Control Act 1990<o:p></o:p>

Planning & Development Act 2000<o:p></o:p>

Local Government Act 2001<o:p></o:p>

The role of the Council under this heading is as follows:
1. To give pre-Planning advice to potential developers.
2. To receive and process all planning applications.
3. To ensure compliance with Planning Legislation.
4. Enforcement of Planning Legislation.
5. Process S.89 Licence Applications.

Services Provided
Members of the public are dealt with at the Public Counter by Administrative staff. The Town Architect and Town Engineer are available to meet members of the public by appointment.

Various application forms and leaflets are on display or available on request. Copies of specified documents are available on payment of the appropriate fee and include:-
(a) Decisions and Grant of Permission
(b) Development Plans and Extracts.

Enforcement of Planning Legislation:

Complaints may be made in writing or on a Complaint form, which is available on request or at the Public Counter.
On receipt of a complaint, the complaint is considered. An inspection may be carried out and a report compiled recommending a particular course of action.
Having considered the nature and extent of the planning breach, a decision is made as to the most appropriate course of action.

The development plan is a document which outlines Development Objectives for the Local Authority’s area.It is the framework against which Planning Applications are assessed and decisions made.

Planning authorities are obliged by law to make Development Plans. Cobh Town Council adopted its current Urban Development Plan in 2000.

A Draft Plan is prepared and approved by Council and then it goes on public display for a minimum period of 10 weeks during which extensive public consultation takes place. A Committee of Officials may be set up to examine the submissions made by interested parties.

The Draft Plan is available to view and submit observations, objections on same.Variations to the Draft Plan are put on display for a period of one month, and objections or observations may only be made of, to the variations proposed.

The making of the Development Plan is a function performed by the Elected Members of the Council i.e. a reserved function.