Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Planning Guidelines.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

52 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the report produced by a person (details supplied) in University College Dublin's environmental institute which called for greater controls on the growth of out-of-town stores to prevent urban dereliction; his views on the report; the steps, if any, he will take arising from its conclusions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14360/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

In June last year, I made a policy directive and regulations under the Planning Acts to limit the size of supermarket development to 3,000 sq. metres, pending a detailed study and publication of planning guidelines by my Department. The study has now been completed and published and the draft planning guidelines were issued on 15 April 1999 for a period of two months for public consultation.

I am aware of the report Large Scale Out-of-Town Shopping Developments in Ireland – Issues and Choices, to which the question refers. In finalising the planning guidelines, the views expressed in the report will be considered along with the additional study on competition aspects and all other submissions received as part of the consultation process. Planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála will be statutorily required to have regard to the final guidelines in carrying out their planning functions. The existing policy directive will remain in force pending the issue of the final guidelines.