Vol. 488 No. 7
279 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the main street programmes in the United States of America which prevent shopping malls becoming an over dominant feature of the urban landscape; and the similar plans, if any, he has for Ireland. [7028/98]
280 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to issue planning regulations to restrict the proliferation of hyper markets or superstores in view of their devastating effect on urban main street commercial areas. [7029/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.
Planning law provides that decisions to grant or to refuse planning permission are made by the relevant planning authority and by An Bord Pleanála in the event of an appeal. In making its decision on a planning application, a planning authority must take into consideration the proper planning and development of the area in question, the development plan, and any submissions or observations made on the application for permission. In the exercise of their planning functions the authority and An Bord Pleanála must also have regard to any directives in relation to planning and development issued by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government under section 7 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1982.
The Local Government (Planning and Development) General Policy Directive, 1982 sets out considerations which should guide planning authorities in connection with the consideration of applications for planning permission for the establishment of retail shopping development which would represent a large scale addition to existing retail shopping capacity in a locality. The directive provides that consideration should be given to: the adequacy of existing retail shopping outlets; the size and location of existing retail shopping outlets; the quality and convenience of existing retail shopping outlets; the effect on existing communities, including in particular the effect on established retail shopping outlets and on employment; the needs of elderly, infirm or disabled persons and of other persons who may be dependent on the availability of local retail shopping outlets, and the need to counter urban decline and to promote urban renewal and to promote the utilisation of unused infrastructure facilities in urban areas.
As this directive appears to address the main areas of concern which can arise in relation to proposals for large scale retail shopping developments, there are no proposals, at present, for further action by my Department in this matter.
