Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013
389. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will undertake a study on the way the excessive numbers of take-away and fast food outlets operating in many urban and suburban areas can be curtailed. [53838/13]
View answerPlanning authorities may, when adopting the Development Plan for their areas, adopt policies to curtail an excessive concentration of takeaways in particular areas. Under planning legislation the change of use of any premises to a takeaway or fast food outlet would require planning permission. In deciding whether or not to grant permission for a development, the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála must consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, and also any submissions or observations received, and relevant ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by my Department.
I published Local Area Plans Guidelines for Planning Authorities in June 2013. The Guidelines recognise the important role of planning in promoting and facilitating active and healthy living patterns for local communities. For example, the local area plan can promote active and healthier lifestyles by ensuring that, inter alia, exposure of children to the promotion of foods that are high in fat, salt or sugar is reduced through careful consideration of the appropriateness or location of fast food outlets in the vicinity of schools and parks.
