Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 February 2010
176 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a matter (details supplied) and the concerns expressed to him regarding this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8526/10]
Amharc ar fhreagra177 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a matter (details supplied); if his officials undertook a site visit in respect of this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8527/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
As Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I am generally precluded under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual matter with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned. My role in relation to development applications is confined to that of statutory consultee under the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2006 where a proposed development may impact on the built or natural heritage. The planning application for a mixed use development in Drogheda, referred to in the Questions, was submitted to me in that context.
In the context of my role as statutory consultee within the planning process, the observations of my Department were communicated to Drogheda Borough Council prior to its decision of 18 May, 2009, to grant planning permission with conditions for the proposed development. Having reviewed the decision of the Council, my Department took the view that the observations made on the development were not adequately addressed by the conditions attached to the grant of planning permission and an appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanála on 12 June, 2009, against the grant of permission.
The determination of the appeal is a matter for An Bord Pleanála and a decision by the Board is awaited. My Department undertook two inspections of the site area on 16 April 2009 and 26 May 2009. Further to the decision of Drogheda Borough Council to grant planning permission for the development, a third site inspection was undertaken on 17 December 2009.
