Tipperary County Council

I write on behalf of the Main Street Business Initiative (MBI), located at Railway House, Cregg Road, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, E32 AK24, to formally request access to information pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the Local Government Act 2001, and all other relevant statutory legislation and directives governing transparency, public consultation, and good governance in planning and development matters. This correspondence is marked Strictly Private and Confidential and is issued on a Without Prejudice basis. The MBI respectfully requests the following information in relation to the public consultation survey conducted regarding the future development potential of the Goldcrop site in Carrick-on-Suir: 1. Survey Data and ResultsA complete and unredacted copy of the survey results, including all responses (online and hard copy), both positive and negative.A detailed breakdown of the 1,976 online responses and 84 hard copy submissions, including any demographic or geographic data collected. 2. Survey ContentA copy of the survey questionnaire, including all questions posed to respondents.Any explanatory notes or guidance provided to respondents during the survey process. 3. Collation and Analysis MethodologyA comprehensive explanation of the methodology used to collate, analyze, and interpret the survey responses.Details of any weighting or prioritization applied to specific responses or categories of responses. 4. Consultant EngagementCopies of any instructions, terms of reference, or briefs provided to Reddy Architecture + Urbanism in relation to the collation and analysis of survey data and the preparation of the draft concept design. 5. Transparency and GovernanceCopies of any correspondence, minutes of meetings, or records of discussions between Tipperary County Council and any third parties regarding the survey results.Any documentation or precedent relied upon by the Council in determining the timing and manner of publishing the survey results. 6. Legal and Statutory ComplianceConfirmation of compliance with all relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the Local Government Act 2001, and applicable EU directives on public consultation and transparency, particularly Directive 2001/42/EC on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Directive 2011/92/EU on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).Copies of any legal advice or guidance received by the Council in relation to the publication of the survey results and the preparation of the draft concept design. 7. Verification of Survey DataA detailed explanation of how the Council has verified and substantiated the accuracy of the survey responses, including measures taken to ensure the integrity of the data collection process. 8. Precedent and Case Law We draw your attention to High Court case 2020_IECA_36, which underscores the critical importance of transparency and procedural fairness in public consultation processes. Please provide any relevant documentation or legal precedent relied upon by the Council in this regard. The MBI emphasizes the paramount importance of transparency, inclusivity, and adherence to best practices in governance and planning. The survey results are a cornerstone of the public consultation process, encapsulating the views, priorities, and concerns of the local community. It is imperative that these results are made publicly available in advance of the finalization of the draft concept design to ensure that the process is transparent, equitable, and reflective of the community's needs. ​We further note that the Council's decision to withhold the survey results until the draft concept design is published raises serious concerns regarding procedural fairness and compliance with statutory obligations.