Green TD Steven Matthews has welcomed the rollout of the E-Planning system by Wicklow County Council as part of a nationwide rollout. It is hoped that this system will go live in April 2023. This programme aims to modernise the planning application process by bringing it online and doing away with antiquated requirements for submitting planning documents in hard copy. Deputy Matthews has been a long-time advocate for an E-planning system and has worked to deliver this since his time on Wicklow County Council.
Speaking after the announcement, Deputy Matthews said:
“This move is long overdue and will help streamline the planning system which is already under significant pressure. I believe that it is a step is a no brainer to make the planning process more efficient as we tackle the ongoing housing crisis. As Chair of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, this is a change which I have been pushing for many years having seen first hand how off putting the complex and trivial existing planning process was. In recent times, I have worked closely with Minister for Housing, Darragh O’ Brien to ensure that this change would be implemented without delay.
“Over the last number of years, I have been working directly with the Department of Housing, Local Government and heritage to expedite the rollout of this system and to work through any hiccups in the process. This nationwide rollout follows a series of trials by Tipperary and Galway County Councils in which a number of issues were identified. I hope the addressing these issues will help streamline the rollout in County Wicklow
“I hope that this new more efficient application system will make this vital resource more approachable for members of the public to engage with. I hope that this will lead to more sustainable and productive development in towns and villages across Wicklow. I look forward to seeing the positive impact which this move will have across the county. If anyone in Wicklow requires any assistance while engaging with the planning process or any other issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly,” Deputy Matthews concluded.
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