PLAN40540 Planning Law

Academic Year 2022/2023

Planning law has historically been controversial, politicised and adversarial in Ireland, making for a fascinating mix of law, policy and politics. The legal arena of planning is defined (and continually
redefined) by primary and secondary legislation, along with its interpretation by the courts. It is
essential that practising planners understand how this legal system underpins their professional
activity and the different ways in which the courts can intervene to shape planning practice. This
module will introduce students to the core features of planning law, including: the hierarchy of plans
and policy; the legal interpretation of development; planning applications and their determination;
planning appeals; enforcement; judicial review; additional planning controls; environmental law; and
legal issues relating the professional and ethical conduct of planners, amongst other things.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Critically appraise how spatial planning operates within the context of institutional and legal
frameworks;
2. Evaluate the impacts of international and EU law on planning law;
3. Critically reflect on the role that the courts and case law principles play in influencing
planning practice;
4. Debate the concept of rights and the legal and practical implications of representing these
rights in planning decision-making processes;
5. Critically reflect on the moral, ethical and legal obligations of elected representatives and
practitioners in planning practice.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22

Autonomous Student Learning

78

Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, case based learning, critical reading and discussion. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Small Group/roleplay activity Unspecified n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

Examination: End of Trimester examination. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

80


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written group feedback on group projects. Opportunity for oral feedback on exam paper after exam correction period.