Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 600: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the rezoning of lands (details supplied) in County Galway from agricultural to residential in contravention of sustainable residential development planning guidelines without good cause; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that permission was refused previously on grounds of safety, the environment and the fact that the existing development has reached full density and capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15841/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I understand that the rezoning of the lands referred to in the Question has been included for consideration in the draft Clifden Local Area Plan which is currently being considered by Galway County Council. In my role as a statutory consultee on draft local area plans, my Department raised a number of concerns with the Council at draft and amendment stages of this plan in relation to the impact of certain of the rezonings proposed and whether they appropriately reflect national and regional policies and priorities and provide for the proper and sustainable planning of the area.

The making, amending or revoking of a local area plan is a matter for the relevant planning authority. The interpretation of planning guidelines in individual cases is a matter for each planning authority and, where appropriate, for An Bord Pleanála on appeal.

I should also point out that, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any individual planning application or appeal with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.