asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a planning permission given by An Bord Pleanála which involves authorising the destruction of many trees on Corbawn Lane, Shankill, County Dublin; if he has received representations from the North Shankill and Corbawn Residents Association in this matter; the action he proposes to take to prevent this grave reduction of the residents' amenities; and in the event that he has no legal powers in this connection, whether he proposes amending legislation with the object of creating such powers.
Written Answers. - Shankill (Dublin) Planning Permission.
183.
I have received representations from the residents' association about this matter. I understand that An Bord Pleanála decided on 16 January 1980 to grant outline permission for housing development at "Lisnalurg", Corbawn Lane, Shankill, subject to a number of conditions including conditions regarding tree preservation.
Before any development of this site can be commenced it will be necessary for the developers to obtain approval for the detailed plans for the development. In this connection the following is one of the conditions which apply:—"Existing trees on the site shall be preserved to the maximum possible extent. The plans to be lodged for approval shall include a detailed tree survey showing the species, height and circumference of all trees on the site, and indicating the trees proposed to be retained and those proposed to be felled, together with detailed proposals for the protection of the trees to be retained and their root systems during building operations. The precise location of new houses on the site shall be determined by reference to the location of trees to be retained and their root systems, and the layout of the proposed development shall, if necessary, be revised accordingly".
A decision on any application for approval will be a matter for the planning authority, that is Dublin County Council, or, in the event of an appeal, An Bord Pleanála.
I have no powers in relation to decisions given on individual planning applications or appeals, and neither have I power to revoke or amend such a decision already given. There are no proposals to amend the planning legislation to create such powers.