(1) Subject to subsection (6), a local planning authority may at any time and shall, if so directed by the Minister and within such period as he may direct or any extension thereof granted by him, whether before or after the expiration of such period, prepare and submit to the Minister a master plan in respect of the area for which it is the local planning authority or for such part of that area as the Minister may specify:
Provided that, in the case of a scheduled local planning authority, the references in this subsection to the Minister shall be read and construed as references to the Minister of Environment and Tourism.
(2) A master plan prepared in terms of subsection (1) shall—
(a) formulate the policies of that authority and its general proposals for the planning area in respect of the coordinated and harmonious development or redevelopment and other uses of land, including measures for—
(i) the regulation of the use of land and the construction and use of buildings; and
(ii) the conservation and improvement of the physical environment, including the preservation of buildings of special architectural merit or historic interest; and
(iii) the economic development of the planning area; and
(iv) the movement of traffic therein, including the closure and diversion of roads; and
(b) set out the relationship of the proposals referred to in paragraph (a) to the major proposals for land use and traffic in any neighboring area which may affect the planning area; and
(c) indicate the manner in which the policies and proposals referred to in paragraph (a) are justified by the study in terms of section thirteen and by any other information obtained by the local planning authority; and
(d) indicate the parts of the planning area which are of high scenic value and should be protected.
(3) In preparing the master plan, the local planning authority shall—
(a) consult with neighboring local planning authorities and local authorities and any other statutory or other body whose activities or plans may affect the master plan, with the object of ensuring co-ordination of policies; and
(b) have regard to—
(i) the information obtained in the study in terms of section thirteen and any other information obtained by that authority; and
(ii) the provisions of any regional plan, whether in operation or in the course of preparation, which may affect the planning area or, in the absence of such plan, the relationship between the planning area and the surrounding area; and (iii) the current economic and social circumstances prevailing in the area and the surrounding areas; and
(iv) the phasing of any development in terms of the master plan, the order of priorities in respect of the proposals and the reasons therefor; and (v) the resources likely to be available.
(4) The local planning authority shall indicate in its master plan any part of the planning area which it has selected for comprehensive development, redevelopment or improvement as a matter of priority.
(5) The master plan shall consist of a written statement with the proposals therein being illustrated on a map showing such topographical details and property boundaries as are appropriate to the scale of the map and being accompanied by such other maps, diagrams, illustrations and descriptive matter as the local planning authority considers appropriate.
(6) A master plan may include proposals in relation to any neighboring area if the Minister, after consultation with any other local planning authority concerned, has authorized the local planning authority to include that area within the master plan, but the inclusion of such neighboring area shall not be construed as meaning that the local planning authority which has prepared the master plan shall be the local planning authority for that neighboring area for the purposes of any other provision of this Act.