Vol. 302 No. 10
asked the Minister for the Environment if planning permission has been granted to the present owners of the site of the former Adelphi Cinema in the Borough of Dún Laoghaire; when such permission was granted; and if he will take action to remove the health hazard and nuisance to local residents emanating from the present condition of the site.
27.
asked the Minister for the Environment if planning permission has been granted to the present owners of the site of the former Salthill Hotel in the Borough of Dún Laoghaire; when such permission was granted; and if he will take action to remove the health hazard and nuisance to local residents emanating from the present condition of the site.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together.
I am informed that in April, 1977, planning permission subject to conditions was granted by Dún Laoghaire Corporation for the construction of flats on the former Salthill Hotel site. A condition attached to the permission required the submission of further detailed plans and specifications for approval by the planning authority. I understand that these details were submitted recently and that they are at present under consideration by the planning authority.
As regards the site of the former Adelphi Cinema, I understand that planning permission subject to conditions was granted in June, 1975, for commercial, office and flat development. Conditions attached to that permission required the submission of further particulars for approval before the development could commence. In January, 1977, the planning authority granted a further permission for stage 1 of the development with a condition that the developer comply with all conditions attached to the original permission in June, 1975. In July, 1977, permission was granted for additional car parking.
The planning authority have informed me that they have received no complaints about the condition of the Adelphi Cinema site and that the only complaints received about the Salthill Hotel site were in connection with a hoarding which surrounds the site. I understand that this hoarding is repaired when necessary by the corporation. The Adelphi Cinema site has recently been fenced and tidied.
I am not aware that there is either a health hazard or a nuisance on either site. The corporation do not appear to think so but in any event I would have no function in regard to such matters.
Might I ask the Minister if planning permission is given in respect of this kind of development, is it permissible or possible for the planner to get permission and then sit on the site, as it were, for an unlimited period without doing anything? Is he then the person who determines what goes on that site or can the environmental people step in and say: it is in a condition which should be changed? If a planner decides to sit on it for, say, five years may he do so?
If there were no conditions attaching to his permission in the first instance, requiring him to build within a certain period, and unless he creates a nuisance or safety or health hazard, he can do so.
Therefore they would intervene only if there was a nuisance or health hazard involved?
Yes, that is correct.
Can the Minister say whether the permission granted in July, 1977, of a right for an additional car park has not automatically got a time clause attached which would be in accordance with the recent Planning Act?
I have not any information to that effect but I shall certainly inquire into that aspect. One would usually expect that there would be in such cases.
As a result of the recent Planning Act all permissions lapse after five years.
We may have time for another question. We are working to an Order of the House on a time limit for the current debate. I am calling Question No. 28.
