Developers need to "reach out" to the public when embarking on major projects, planners warned today.
IPI president, Andrew Hind
The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) urged entrepreneurs driving major property schemes to talk directly with residents about their plans as early as possible.
Andrew Hind, IPI president, insisted that open dialogue with the public about proposed developments was crucial in a democratic society.
"I would strongly suggest that planners should reach out more to get the public involved through better and more effective forms of public consultation," he told an IPI conference.
Mr Hind called for greater public involvement in the planning system through "focus group" meetings.
"Effective and meaningful public consultation is at the heart of the planning process in a democracy," he said. "Greater consensus through more effective public consultation delivers stronger, longer-lasting and more effective plans."
The IPI president also advised planners to use easily understood and jargon-free language with user-friendly documents during consultations.
PA