06 March 2020 Draft Meath County Development Plan 2020-2026, Planning Department, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath C15 Y291 Re: Draft Meath County Development Plan 2020-2026 A Chara, Thank you for your authority’s work in preparing the draft Meath County Development Plan 2020- 2026 (the draft plan). The Office of the Planning Regulator (the Office) wishes to acknowledge the considerable and evident work your authority has put in to the preparation of the draft plan against the backdrop of an evolving national and regional planning policy and regulatory context, which included taking account of the National Planning Framework (NPF), the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area and the establishment of the Office mid-stream in the gestation of the draft plan. In particular, the Office notes and welcomes the overall approach of your authority in the preparation of the draft plan and in addressing the NPF and the RSES in accordance with section 12 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (the Act). The Office has evaluated and assessed the proposed draft, above, under the provisions of sections 31AM(1) and (2) of the Act. Bloc C, 77 Cé Sir John Rogerson, Dug an Chanáil Mhór, Baile Átha Cliath, D02 VK60. Block C, 77 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin, D02 VK60. T +353 (0)1 553 0270 | E
[email protected] | W www.opr.ie As your authority will be aware, one of the key functions of the Office includes assessment of statutory plans and strategies to ensure consistency with legislative and policy requirements relating to planning.