Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2013
174. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a building (details supplied) in County Cork is on his Department's list of recorded monuments; and the role his Department has in conjunction with the local authority in terms of any application for planning permission that has or will be lodged with Cork County Council to renovate the building. [31305/13]
View answerThe building referred in the question is not included on the statutory record or register maintained under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. However, I understand that it is on the Record of Protected Structures for County Cork. Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2012 provides for the protection of architectural heritage. The Act gives primary responsibility to planning authorities to identify and protect the architectural heritage by including them on the Record of Protected Structures. Inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures and also gives planning authorities powers to deal with development proposals affecting them and to seek to safeguard their future.
Under the Planning & Development Acts 2000-2010, the local authority is the decision-making body in the first instance in relation to planning applications. An Bord Pleanala is the appeals authority for planning applications. My role in relation to planning applications is limited to that of statutory consultee in cases where a proposed development may have an effect on natural, archaeological or architectural heritage. I understand that Cork County Council have received an application for planning permission in relation to the this building and, as the building is on the Record of Protected Structures, officials in my Department have asked the Council to refer this application to me for consultation under the Planning and Development Act.
I refer the Deputy to Cork County Council as the appropriate body to consult with reference to this planning application.
