asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any proposals to amend existing planning legislation to control the opening of superstores in locations where the community may already be adequately serviced by existing outlets and to bring Irish law in this respect into line with legislation in other EEC member states.
Written Answers. - Superstores Locations.
354.
The location of superstores or other retail outlets is subject to planning control under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976. Local development plans provide for the zoning of particular areas for particular purposes and planning authorities in zoning areas for commercial activities would have regard to the existing situation and the likely future demands of the area, for example the extent of existing facilities, population trends, economic activity and so on.
In dealing with applications for planning permission for development planning authorities are restricted to considering the proper planning and development of their area and must have regard to the provisions of their development plans.
In these circumstances I do not propose to amend existing planning legislation to place any additional or specific restrictions on individual types of development.
It is understood that an EEC Commission Working Group on Commerce and Distribution is currently involved in collecting information on these activities in member states. I am not aware of any EEC Directive or draft directive in this area.