Seán Haughey
Question:666 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has plans to change the retail planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29059/04]
View answerWednesday, 17 November 2004
Questions (622)
Written answers
The retail planning guidelines prescribe a maximum floor area of 6,000 sq. m. gross retail floor space for large-scale single retail warehouse development. This aspect of the guidelines has been under review, taking account of the need to ensure proper planning and sustainable development, while also supporting effective competition in this sector of retailing in the context of ongoing developments in retail formats.
To assist in carrying out the review, interested parties were invited to make submissions to my Department. Some 71 submissions were received and have been assessed. The submissions received raised many complex issues and these have been fully considered in the context of determining whether any changes are needed in the guidelines. I expect to be in a position to announce the outcome of the review in the near future.