168.—F695[(1) Subject to subsection (1A), as soon as may be after the making of an order designating a site under section 166—

(a) the relevant development agency (other than a local authority) or, where an agreement referred to in section 167 has been made, the relevant development agency (other than a local authority) and any person who is a party to the agreement shall prepare a draft planning scheme in respect of all or any part of the site and submit it to the relevant planning authority,

(b) the local authority, where it is the development agency, or where an agreement referred to in section 167 has been made, the local authority and any person who is a party to the agreement shall prepare a draft planning scheme in respect of all or any part of the site.

(1A) The first draft planning scheme under subsection (1) in respect of all or any part of a site designated under section 166, shall be prepared not later than 2 years after the making of the order so designating the site.]

(2) F695[A draft planning scheme under this section shall consist of a written statement and a plan indicating the manner in which it is intended that the site or part of the site designated under section 166 to which the scheme relates is to be developed and in particular—]

(a) the type or types of development which may be permitted to establish on the site (subject to the order of the Government under section 166),

(b) the extent of any such proposed development,

(c) proposals in relation to the overall design of the proposed development, including the maximum heights, the external finishes of structures and the general appearance and design,

(d) proposals relating to transportation, including public transportation, the roads layout, the provision of parking spaces and traffic management,

(e) proposals relating to the provision of services on the site, including the provision of waste and sewerage facilities and water, electricity and telecommunications services, oil and gas pipelines, including storage facilities for oil or gas,

(f) proposals relating to minimising any adverse effects on the environment, including the natural and built environment, and on the amenities of the area, and

(g) where the scheme provides for residential development, proposals relating to the provision of amenities, facilities and services for the community, including schools, créches and other education and childcare services.

F696[(3) The Minister may, for the purposes of giving effect to Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (No. 2001/42/EC, O.J. No. L 197, 21 July 2001 P. 0030 - 0037), by regulations make provision in relation to consideration of the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing a planning scheme.]

F697[(3A) A screening for appropriate assessment and, if required, an appropriate assessment of a draft planning scheme shall be carried out in accordance with Part XAB.]

(4) (a) A draft planning scheme for residential development shall be consistent with the housing strategy prepared by the planning authority in accordance with Part V.

(b) Where land in a strategic development zone is to be used for residential development, an objective to secure the implementation of the housing strategy shall be included in the draft planning scheme as if it were a specific objective under section 95(1)(b).

(5) Where an area designated under section 166 is situated within the functional area of two or more planning authorities the functions conferred on a planning authority under this Part shall be exercised—

(a) jointly by the planning authorities concerned, or

(b) by one of the authorities, provided that the consent of the other authority or authorities, as appropriate, is obtained prior to the making of the scheme under section 169,

and the words “planning authority” shall be construed accordingly.

F698[(6) In this section, the Land Development Agency shall not be a relevant development agency unless each site referred to in subsection (1) is wholly or partly on relevant public land or land owned by the Agency.]