Dáil debates

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Other Questions

Retail Sector Developments

5:00 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he has any pans to amend and strengthen the sequential test in the draft retail planning guidelines; when the final guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13217/12]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The draft guidelines for planning authorities on retail planning will be finalised by April 2012. The guidelines are aimed at ensuring the planning system plays a key role in supporting competitiveness in the retail sector, advancing choice for the consumer while promoting and supporting the vitality and viability of city and town centres, and contributing to a high standard of urban design and encouraging a greater use of sustainable transport. We are clarifying the messages of previous guidelines in promoting a sequential approach to retail development. This will mean that the preferred location for new retail development is within city and town centres. Following the sequential approach, if no development sites are available within a city or town centre, then the next preference should be a location on the edge of the city or town centre. Only where the applicant can demonstrate, and the planning authority is satisfied, that there are no sites or potential sites within a city or town centre or on its edge should out-of-centre development be considered.

In parallel with this policy objective, the guidelines will also clarify that to ensure proper planning and sustainable development, retail development and activity must follow the settlement hierarchy of the State, including the various gateway and hub town locations identified in the national spatial strategy, the regional planning guidelines and the core strategies of development plans. My objective will be to strengthen national planning policy requirements for all planning authorities in relation to retail planning and the requirements in relation to driving city and town centres as focal points for retailing.

Photo of Michael KittMichael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Forfás conducted a study in this regard last April while the EU and the IMF examined the economic impact of a retail cap, although they did not state that they wanted it abolished. What steps will the Minister take to ensure all retailers will be treated equally? For example, could large retailers use a particular model to avoid town centre or city centre development?

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is correct that we were obliged under the EU-IMF agreement to carry out an independent study of the retail sector from the point of view of competitiveness. We did so and we submitted a draft proposal to the EU-IMF, which did not take into account all the recommendations made by Forfás. I am conscious that balanced development is needed, as the Deputy said, and I am equally conscious of the potential power of the large multiples to suck business out of town centres if they are located on the edge of these towns. That has happened in the past and the Deputy will be aware from my earlier reply that I do not favour that. I am examining the sequential approach to ensure it is more robust and stronger in the context of the planning and development Acts, thus ensuring town centres are improved once again.

Photo of Michael KittMichael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Commercial viability is an issue and the approach must be thoroughly tested. Will commercially sensitive material be sensibly dealt with? I would not like a scenario where this information could be exploited in order that building could take place on a greenfield site, for example. Has the Minister examined this issue?

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I would be glad to hear from the Deputy if he has a methodology that would allow for the free market to operate while, at the same time, preventing the abuses to which he has referred. I am strong on ensuring that in the scheme of development contributions, we err on the side of ensuring we protect and enhance town centres. We all know that there has been a reduction in footfall and business in town and city centres. This is not the interest of the consumer or the planning and development of the centres involved.