Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his Department's views on the recommendations directed to his Department in the area of planning in the 2005 Consumer Strategy Group report; the measures undertaken to date in implementating those recommendations; the future actions which will be undertaken in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19144/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The recommendations which related to planning in the 2005 Consumer Strategy Group Report focused on the requirement to ensure that the needs of consumers are taken into account within both forward planning and development management stages, the promotion of competition through retail planning guidance and ensuring that planning is not used as a barrier to entry in respect of pub and other forms of licensed business.

In accordance with the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, every planning authority is required to prepare a development plan which sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the plan area. Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Development Plans were published by my Department in June 2007. The guidelines recommend, inter alia, that planning authorities produce an Issues Paper in advance of preparing a draft development plan to assist the public in engaging in the consultation process on different policy approaches, including the development of town centres and district and local shopping centres. The guidelines also recommend that retail planning strategies, prepared as part of a development plan, should take into account the needs of consumers in terms of facilitating a competitive retail environment.

The 2005 Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Retail Planning state that it is not the purpose of the planning system to inhibit competition, preserve existing commercial interests or prevent innovation and, when interpreting the guidelines, planning authorities should avoid taking actions which would adversely affect competition in the retail market.

On 10 February 2008, I published for public consultation Draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Residential Development in Urban Areas. The consultation period closed on 6 May and I expect to finalise the guidelines later this year. The draft guidelines state, inter alia, that new developments should be delivered in tandem with essential infrastructure, with access to public transport and to community facilities such as shops. The draft guidelines, as well as those relating to development plans and retail planning, are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.