John Bruton
Question:77 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment if he plans to bring golf courses, caravan parks, and marinas within the scope of the Planning Acts.
Written Answers. - Scope of Planning Acts.
Caravan parks constitute development within the meaning of the Planning Acts and, subject to a limited exemption under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1977, require planning permission. Development which relates to a marina and which is located within a planning authority's functional area would, subject to the normal range of exemptions, also require planning permission.
The laying out and use of land as a golf course, incorporating parking space for not less than 24 cars, is exempted development for planning purposes by virtue of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 1977. This exemption is, however, subject to a number of limitations and would not apply if,inter alia, public safety would be endangered by reason of traffic hazard or if a view or prospect of special amenity value or interest whose preservation is an objective of the relevant development plan would be restricted. Planning permission is required for ancillary facilities such as club houses. I have no immediate proposals to alter this position but will be examining the matter further in the context of the review of planning regulations which is in progress in my Department.