Latest news with #LAP
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wexford County Council opts to approve new Courtown hotel despite breaches of local area plan
In instances such as this, the decision to grant or refuse planning permission lies with the elected members. And at the July meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC), the decision to allow the development to go ahead, despite it being in breach of the Courtown and Riverchapel Local Area Plan (LAP), was approved by local councillors. The proposed development, by Bayview Limited, is for the construction of a 136-bedroom, six-storey hotel, on lands currently used as car parking at the edge of Courtown village. The existing coast access road, pedestrian bridge, and the landscaping to the watercourse to the east of the site would remain unaffected by the development. Outlining the reasons and considerations behind its decision to grant planning permission, WCC stated, 'The proposed development would provide much-needed accommodation in the area and bring longer stay visitors to the village that would benefit the local economy and bring new employment opportunities.' A consultation period took place between June 4 and July 1 which allowed members of the public to have their say on the proposed development. A number of submissions were made regarding the construction of a hotel in Courtown, some of which expressed concerns about how it will affect the local community. BPS Planning and Development Consultants, on behalf of the Harbour Court Residents Association, stated, "The argument that a development would have economic benefits is not one we consider normally to be used by planning authorities to overrule significant scale, massing, design, and zoning concerns. The LAP's open space and amenity (OSA) zoning cannot be viewed in isolation from the range of planning policies, aims, and objections set out in the LAP and the County Development Plan (CDP).' "The focus has clearly been on the purported economic benefits of a hotel without adequate due consideration of the benefits to the community. The guidelines confirm that the 'material contravention procedure' is intended as a mechanism to deal with specific non-conforming planning applications. These are, by definition, proposed developments which the applicant knew at the time of making the planning application was not permitted in principle or open for consideration. "It is meant to be an exceptional procedure for cases which, one would expect, are supported by the same public who voted for the elected members who adopted the LAP.' Previously, a further 32 submissions were made by members of the public, concerned residents, and local organisations. Recommending that councillors approve planning permission for the hotel, chief executive of WCC, Eddie Taaffe stated, 'No modifications of the proposed material contravention of the Courtown and Riverchapel LAP are recommended at this time on foot of the submissions received. In accordance with Section 34 (6) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, it is recommended that planning permission for the development of a 136-bedroom, six-storey hotel be considered by the members for approval as a material contravention of the LAP. "I therefore recommend that the members agree to pass a resolution approving the proposal to grant permission subject to standard conditions.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Vancouver Sun
25-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Park board pushes back on Kits Pool reservation system complaints, but says it's open to modifications
The Vancouver park board is pushing back after complaints about Kitsilano Pool's reservation system, but it also says it's open to making some changes. Earlier this week, after the park board declined to hear a motion about ending the advanced-booking system, Mayor Ken Sim issued a public statement calling on Premier David Eby to fulfil his previous commitment to fold the park board into city operations, and said the city was 'exploring all options' to eliminate the reservation system and bring back drop-in access. On Tuesday, Laura Christensen, the park board chairperson, responded to Sim's broadside with a letter of her own, addressed to Eby, stating: 'I have personally received significant positive feedback from residents who use and appreciate the booking system.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. She said the pool reserves 20 per cent of its capacity for drop-ins, and only one drop-in slot this summer — 6 p.m. on July 12 — had to turn away visitors. Those who reserve in advance don't need to wait in line, she wrote, and drop-in visitors typically only wait for the duration it takes to process payments. Christensen said that for the week of July 8 to 17 the pool served more than the 'baseline' number of patrons expected based on pool capacity in 30 out of 40 sessions and that Leisure Access Pass (LAP) users, low-income residents who are provided with free and reduced-cost programs, are also able to reserve online. Park board manager Steve Jackson said Thursday that his staff is working hard to find a 'sweet spot' that will work for all users of the city's popular seaside pool. ' We are trying to find a solution that works with everyone and asking how do we make this pool the best for as many people as possible?' Jackson said the booking system, which reserves 80 per cent of the slots daily for those who book online, works for many — especially those who don't live in the neighbourhood but come to use the pool from other parts of Vancouver. 'There is a real equity issue here and the reservation system is about making sure that this is a facility that is open to all, especially people who come from other parts of the city,' said Jackson. Jackson said staff are looking at data, and listening to public feedback, but it's unlikely the pool will drop the reservation system entirely. 'The ultimate goal is to find an approach that works for the majority. We are collecting data and we are going to potentially make modifications throughout the summer,' said Jackson. Staff are looking at possibilities such as extending the length of the slots (currently, users can book for 2.5 hours and there are four, 30-minute 'turnover' times a day when lifeguards get a break and cleaning is done); finding a way to deal with reservation no-shows; and improving drop-in access, said Jackson. Jackson is urging pool-users to share feedback with staff, including lifeguards, cashiers and park board team members. In a statement Thursday, the Housing and Municipal Affairs Ministry said: 'Local governments are responsible for managing their recreational facilities. We know how important it is for local governments to have all the tools they need to provide appropriate governance. The province continues to work with the City of Vancouver on its request.' dryan@
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Auckland Council Defends Alcohol Rule Shakeup
Auckland's tougher liquor laws needed to be implemented after 10 years of legal battles, otherwise the work could have been in vain, the council says. Auckland Council is defending its Local Alcohol Policy (LAP), implemented last year, following recent criticism from a legal expert who said it was quickly becoming outdated. Drafted in 2013, the LAP outlines the location, amount, and trading hours for alcohol businesses in the region. The new rules included a two-year freeze on new off-licences in the central city and 23 other suburbs with the highest alcohol-related harm. Concerns were raised on a possible 'technical error', because the LAP was connected to an older version of the Unitary Plan which only protected neighbourhood centres that existed in 2013, from proliferation of bottle shops. However, Auckland Council policy general manager Louise Mason said there was a reason for linking the LAP to the 2013 Unitary Plan, and it wasn't a technical error. "Linking the policy to the current version of the unitary plan - adopted in 2016 - would have meant starting the entire process again," Mason said. "That would have likely led to further court proceedings, and another round of lengthy legal battles. This would have risked delaying the policy further or possibly preventing it from coming in at all." Dr Grant Hewison, a lawyer who works with Community Against Alcohol Harm (CAAH) in south Auckland, called for an early review of the LAP because new neighbourhood centres that have since popped up since 2013 weren't being protected. He said recent decisions by the licensing district proved this when new off-licences were granted at three new neighbourhood centres because they were out of the scope of the 2013 Unitary Plan. According to the LAP, neighbourhood centres were commercial centres within residential areas. Hewison also raised concerns over the end of a two-year freeze in 2026 on new off-licences in the central city and 23 other suburbs with the highest alcohol-related harm. He said the LAP was now relatively an older document. Mason said communities had been asking for the LAP for a long time, so the decision was made to continue with what had already been developed in 2012, rather than starting all over again. Once the temporary freeze ends, the DLC should work on the presumption that any application for an off-licence in these areas should continue to be rejected, she said. "This is already happening in some neighbourhoods and, so far, seems to be working." Council staff were monitoring how the policy was working in its first year, she said. "[This] including the off-licence freeze - and will report back to the mayor and councillors in early 2026."
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
George Town redevelopment plan of CMDA on hold
The George Town Local Area Plan (LAP), launched by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut), has reportedly hit a roadblock due to land acquisition hurdles, according to official sources. 'The concept of a Local Area Plan is similar to urban renewal,' said K. P. Subramanian, retired Professor of Urban Engineering, Anna University. 'George Town is an ideal candidate due to its narrow roads, out-dated land use pattern, inadequate basic amenities, and non-high- buildings not commensurating with the increasing land value. But current status of this plan is unknown,' he added. The LAP was proposed to ease congestion, structural dilapidation, outdated land use patterns, narrow streets, and inadequate infrastructure. When asked about the current status, senior authorities with the State government said that there has been resistance from long-term residents and traders to redeveloping George Town — one of Chennai's oldest and densest quarters — and that there may be a need for another round of consultations. Notably, initial talks with locals were held in 2022. Documents on the CMDA website show that the LAP was conceived as early as 2006. Minutes of the 215th and 217th CMDA Authority Meetings, both held in 2006 show there was progress — including consultations with stakeholder groups such as the Gunny Bag Merchants Association and iron and steel goods traders — and allocation of funds, though without specifying how much, from the Planning and Development Fund to support LAP preparation. A Terms of Reference (ToR) document dated December 13, 2023 detailed the methodology, scope, and deliverables for in-house preparation of LAPs, aimed at improving land use, infrastructure, and urban form in high-pressure zones. As per this ToR, LAP project was to begin with a GIS-based base map, followed by field surveys on land use, building conditions, infrastructure, and transport. A vision statement was to be developed through stakeholder consultations, leading to proposals on zoning, roads, infrastructure, mobility, and open spaces, along with cost estimates and an implementation strategy. The focus on this project emerged after the CMDA initiated consultations to redevelop 12 kilometers of Anna Salai and 10 kilometers of Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) under an LAP project. According to a document shared by the CMDA, the LAP will focus on a 12.5-kilometre stretch between Omandurar Government Estate Junction and Kathipara Junction along Anna Salai and a 10 km stretch from SRP Tools Junction to Sholinganallur along OMR.
Scoop
18-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Warning On End Of Auckland's Alcohol Licence Freeze
Auckland's local alcohol policy (LAP) is fast becoming outdated according to one legal expert. The LAP, which outlines the location, amount, and trading hours for alcohol businesses in the region, was implemented last September. Drafted in 2013, it took 10 years to get it approved after it was tied up in legal battles. Dr Grant Hewison, a lawyer who works with Community Against Alcohol Harm (CAAH) in south Auckland, was concerned that parts of the LAP was losing its relevance, today. Presenting to the Safety and Regulatory Committee of the Auckland Council this week, Hewison warned that a raft of new liquor licenses could be on the way. "The temporary freeze in the priority overlay areas will stop next year." Hewison added that assuming there would remain a high bar to new licenses may not be a robust enough position. "My concern is that that may not be sufficient to really address the ongoing proliferation that we're still seeing outside of those priority overlay areas in parts of the region," he said. The LAP came into effect in two stages - the first change was September 16, 2024 which included a two-year freeze on new off-licences in the central city and 23 other suburbs with the highest alcohol-related harm. He urged the committee to consider reviewing the LAP, before the two-year freeze lapsed. "The freeze will end in 2026 so you have a small window of opportunity looking to extend it. "I really encourage you to take some advice from your officers and have a briefing on how this temporary freeze operates, and the consequences of it being lifted." He also urged council to look into protecting neighbourhood centres better, in what he called was a 'technical error' in the LAP. According to the LAP, there was a rebbutable presumption for off-licence outlets in neighbourhood centres. Neighbourhood centres are commercial centres within residential areas. "Unfortunately, the drafting of the neighbourhood centre in the LAP links it to the Unitary Plan, as notified in 2013." He said the LAP only protected neighbourhood centres that existed in 2013 under the Unitary Plan. "Since then, we've had developments of paddocks and fields ... new neighbourhood centres that aren't protected by the LAP." He said the the consequence of that was that the District Licensing Committee recently approved three new liquor outlets in new neighbourhood centres. "I don't think the community and yourselves ever intended that the LAP only protected neighbourhood centres as they were in 2013." He pleaded for council not to wait for six years to review the LAP, but to act sooner. "I think its urgent, and there is provision under section 95 of the Act to make amendments to a LAP to correct what is essentially a minor technical error." Hewison said a lot of work went into the drafting of the LAP, but it was now relatively an older document.
