Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 536: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he will be taking to ensure that local authorities do not abuse urban renewal initiatives to facilitate large-scale retail developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5117/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The revised retail planning guidelines published by my Department on 28 January 2005 have been carefully drafted to ensure that the development of large-scale retail warehouses will contribute in a positive way to urban renewal and the development of the national spatial strategy gateways. Any proposals for retail warehouses in excess of the 6,000 sq. m. cap will have to be situated in an area in respect of which there is an integrated area plan, IAP, made under and in accordance with section 7 of the Urban Renewal Act 1998. In November 1997, detailed guidelines were issued which set out criteria that a local authority shall have regard to in preparing an IAP. Observance of these criteria will ensure that any new large-scale retail development will be consistent with a holistic, well-planned approach to the overall regeneration of the relevant IAP area.