The announcement of the opening of the public discussion period on the 2nd revision of the Municipal Master Plan (PDM), which will run from 29 July for a period of 40 working days, i.e. until September 23, was published in the Official Gazette on Monday July 22.
In the meantime, the document that establishes the municipality's territorial development strategy is the subject of several clarification sessions. The first took place last night in the packed auditorium of the Camilo Castelo Branco Municipal Library in Vila Nova de Famalicão.
The towns follow: this Tuesday in Ribeirão, Wednesday in Joane and Thursday in Riba de Ave, all at 21h00, at the respective parish council offices.
It should be noted that the public discussion period will last 40 working days, instead of the usual 30, as the municipality has decided to extend this period for greater public participation.
All the documents required for the public discussion period and all the parts of the Plan will soon be available for online consultation at www.famalicao.pt and for face-to-face consultation at the Planning and Urban Management Department.
Those interested in taking part in the public discussion period will be able to submit their suggestions, complaints and observations preferably online, via the B-Smart Famalicão platform, easily accessible on the www.famalicao.pt portal; by post, via registered letter; or in person, at the Town Planning Department, at a service desk set up for this purpose, open Monday to Thursday between 09h30 and 17h30 (closed between 13h00 and 14h00) and on Fridays between 09h30 and 11h30.
It should be remembered that this is a simplified revision, motivated above all by the need to adapt the PDM to the changes that have taken place in the legislative framework for land use planning, with the publication of the Law on the General Basis of Public Land Policy, Land Use Planning and Urban Planning and the Legal Framework for Land Management Instruments (RJIGT).
Compared to the previous document, dated 2015, this new PDM foresees an increase in agricultural areas, areas for the exploitation of energy resources and protected forest areas. In terms of urban land, the new PDM also envisages an increase in building capacity for housing and central spaces of around 0.2%, as well as equipment and public green spaces. The new PDM also takes account of the municipality's strong business dynamics, opening doors for the growth of Economic Activity Areas.
The new plan will seek to ensure fairness in land use; promote access to housing and a network of school and sports facilities; preserve, requalify and enhance ecosystems and natural heritage; strengthen competitiveness for a greener economy; fill in the urban fabric and promote rehabilitation; reorganise and diversify mobility and accessibility systems and improve accessibility to business areas, among other objectives that drive integrated, inclusive, resilient and sustainable territorial development.
It should also be noted that this review was accompanied by a collegiate Consultative Commission (CC), coordinated and chaired by the CCDR-N, made up of 30 entities representing the direct or indirect administration of the State and neighbouring municipalities.