Plan strategy
8.—(1) A council must prepare a plan for its district (to be known as a plan strategy).
(2) A plan strategy must set out—
(a)the council’s objectives in relation to the development and use of land in its district;
(b)its strategic policies for the implementation of those objectives; and
(c)such other matters as may be prescribed.
(3) Regulations under this section may prescribe the form and content of the plan strategy.
(4) A plan strategy must be prepared in accordance with—
(a)the timetable set out in section 7(1);
(b)the council’s statement of community involvement.
(5) In preparing a plan strategy, the council must take account of—
(a)the regional development strategy;
(b)any policy or advice contained in guidance issued by the Department;
(c)such other matters as the Department may prescribe or, in a particular case, direct,
and may have regard to such other information and considerations as appear to the council to be relevant.
(6) The council must also—
(a)carry out an appraisal of the sustainability of the plan strategy;
(b)prepare a report of the findings of the appraisal.
(7) A plan strategy is a plan strategy only if it is—
(a)adopted by resolution of the council; or
(b)approved by the Department in accordance with section 16(6).