John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The proper planning and sustainable development of urban and village centres is underpinned by the legislative and regulatory frameworks set out in planning legislation and supported by the extensive suite of statutory planning guidance already in place. New draft guidelines in preparation will provide further support in these regards.

Building on the 2007 guidelines for planning authorities on development plans, which comprehensively deal with the function, content, process and implementation of development plans as a blueprint for the economic and social development of cities and towns, including their central areas, my Department published guidelines for planning authorities on sustainable residential development in urban areas in December 2008.

These promote high quality, sustainable residential development at all levels of the urban hierarchy, including towns and villages. The guidelines provide more specific advice on co-ordinated planning and development of such areas. Best practice examples and processes to implement the guidelines were also provided in an accompanying urban design manual.

The 2005 retail planning guidelines for planning authorities also support the vibrancy and vitality of city, town and village centres. My Department intends to commence a focussed review of these guidelines before the end of the year, which will consider how town centres can be further enhanced and revitalised through sustainable retail planning policies. In addition, my Department is preparing draft guidelines on local area plans which are increasingly used in the planning of strategic developments within an urban and suburban context.

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