asked the Minister for Local Government if planning permission will be refused to any proposals, such as road development, which will result in the closure of golf courses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Planning Permission Refusals.
116.
A decision on whether to grant or refuse planning permission for any proposed private development, including the development of roads, which would have the effect described is primarily a matter for the planning authority for the areas concerned. I would be involved only in the event of an appeal being made to me against any decision made by the planning authority, and it would not be possible for me to try to anticipate the result of any such appeal.
If what the Deputy has in mind is road development proposed to be undertaken by a local authority, the position is that such development is not subject to planning control but a road scheme cannot be undertaken until the land needed for it has been acquired. If the local authority seek to acquire the land compulsorily, people with an interest in the land would be entitled to object to me; if the objections are not withdrawn, a public local inquiry must be held to consider them and a report on the inquiry furnished to me before I decide whether or not to confirm the relevant compulsory purchase order. Again, it would not be possible for me to anticipate the outcome of such proceedings in any particular case.
Since the unfortunate experience of the planning permission granted to develop the Rathfarnham Golf Course, is it not true that every other application that has been made or even sanctioned by local authorities for development of this type of amenity has been rejected by successive Ministers? Will the Minister take the same attitude as his immediate predecessor and I think the Minister before that?
I can only say to the Deputy that I will deal with any case that comes before me on its merit.