How do we gather public opinion on land use planning?
Seeking public opinion on land use planning is a mandatory step in the land use planning process. So, how is the process of soliciting public opinion on land use plans and schemes regulated? This is a question of concern to Ms. Tran Hai Yen (Do Luong, Nghe An).
ReplyArticle 70 of the 2024 Land Law stipulates the procedures for soliciting opinions on land use planning and plans as follows:
1. The process of soliciting opinions on national land use planning, defense land use planning, and security land use planning shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on planning.
2. The process for soliciting opinions on provincial-level land use planning is regulated as follows:
a) The provincial land use planning agency is responsible for soliciting opinions from relevant departments and agencies, the Provincial Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the People's Committees of districts, agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals regarding the land use plan. This opinion-gathering process is carried out by publicly disclosing information about the land use plan's content on the provincial land use planning agency's website. The information to be solicited includes explanatory reports and a system of maps related to the land use plan;
b) The process of compiling, incorporating, explaining opinions, and finalizing the land use planning scheme must be carried out before submitting it to the Land Use Planning Appraisal Council, and the opinions and the incorporation and explanation of those opinions must be publicly announced on the website of the provincial-level land use planning agency;
c) The period for soliciting opinions on provincial-level land use planning is 45 days from the date of public announcement of the consultation content.
3. The process for soliciting opinions on district-level land use planning and annual district-level land use plans is regulated as follows:
a) The district-level land use planning agency shall solicit opinions from relevant departments, agencies, the district-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, the commune-level People's Committee, relevant agencies, organizations, communities, and individuals regarding land use planning and plans. This consultation process shall be conducted through the public disclosure of information on the content of the land use planning and plans on the websites of the district-level land use planning agency and the commune-level People's Committee, and by posting information publicly at the commune-level People's Committee headquarters, residential areas, and cultural centers of villages, hamlets, and neighborhoods; organizing conferences and seminars; and distributing questionnaires to households and individuals representing the communes, wards, and towns. The consultation content shall include explanatory reports and map systems on land use planning;
b) The process of compiling, incorporating, explaining opinions, and finalizing land use planning and plans must be carried out before submitting them for appraisal and approval. The opinions and the incorporation and explanation of those opinions must be publicly disclosed on the website of the district-level land use planning agency and the district-level annual land use plan agency.
c) The period for soliciting opinions on district-level land use planning is 30 days, and on district-level annual land use plans is 20 days, starting from the date of public disclosure of information regarding the consultation process.
4. Opinions on land use planning and plans must be fully and accurately compiled, and must be considered and addressed objectively, transparently, seriously, and thoroughly.
