Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2016
191. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the working group established to deliver a new urban renewal scheme to regenerate central urban areas has considered a site (details supplied) which is now under a CPO for inclusion in any further renewal scheme. [38496/16]
View answerAs outlined in the reply to Question No. 77 of 17 November 2016, the Urban Renewal Working Group has been established to identify a series of specific actions as early as possible, aimed at facilitating the regeneration of our urban centres, many of which have been adversely impacted by our recent economic difficulties. It is intended that the new measures will complement the existing regeneration programme under my own Department’s Social Housing Capital Programme, as well as other social regeneration initiatives already under way.
The Working Group will seek to deliver a new urban renewal scheme to regenerate central urban areas in our cities and towns, which will address urban decay and associated issues relating to social housing, poverty, segregation, unemployment, crime, anti-social behaviour, etc. The Group’s deliberations are continuing, but proposals for specific regeneration measures have yet to be developed.
With regard to the site in question, I understand that Dublin City Council acquired the leasehold interest in the Ballymun Shopping Centre in 2014, and a Compulsory Purchase Order was made to acquire the interest in several units in the Centre. The Order was lodged with An Bord Pleanála who advised the Council on 23rd November 2016 that it could proceed to confirm the CPO. I gather that the notice of that confirmation will be advertised in a national paper in the coming weeks.
I understand the purpose of the CPO is for the renewal and regeneration of Ballymun in line with its designation as a key district centre in the Dublin City Development Plan 2011-2017. However, as the Deputy will be aware, as Minister, I am specifically precluded under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular planning case with which a planning authority, including An Bord Pleanála, is or may be concerned. The handling of the planning application is a matter for the relevant planning authority, Dublin City County Council in this instance, and I have no function or remit in this regard.
