The planning system has two parts;

Development Management which processes  individual planning applications within the framework of  national policies and the Co. Development Plan/Forward Planning which deals with the formulation, monitoring and review of those policies which are the basis for the decisions made by local planning authorities. 
The Forward Planning Section is concerned with the  implementation of national  and regional policy and guidance and the preparation of  Development Plans, Local Area Plans and Strategies. Forward Planning also deals with Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)  which provides for the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and policies.

The Co. Development Plan

This is the blueprint for the planning and development of a local authority’s administrative area. The Waterford Co. Development Plan sets out the overall planning policies of Waterford Co. Council for a 6-year period. It consists of a written statement and a series of maps.

The current Co. Development Plan covers the period 2005-2011 and sets out the local authority's objectives for the use of particular areas where people live work and recreate (i.e., residential areas, industrial areas, agricultural areas, open space etc.). It also sets out the local authority objectives for development in the area, road improvements, protection of environment and heritage and for improving amenities.

All planning applications in the county are measured against the County Development Plan, and planning permission will normally only be given where the application is in accordance with the plan policies. The plan contains maps showing the various areas zoned as residential industrial and a range of other uses. This indicates the developments of the appropriate type that may get planning permission. If you are proposing to apply for planning permission, it is beneficial to look at the Co. Development plan first.

Work on putting together a new development plan for  the county must begin 4 years after the date of the last plan. When a new  Co. Development Plan is being prepared, the public can become involved at the inital stage when the local authority publishes its intention to review the plan. Notices about this intention will be placed in local or national newspaper. The public can also participate at the draft plan stage and if applicable also at the amended draft plan stage. At all of these times,  the public may  make observations, submissions and suggestions (within specified timeframes) about what the local authority is proposing.
A mid term review is also carried out  on the Co. Development Plan during its timeframe. Implementation of the current plan  was reviewed in 2007.