Ciarán Cuffe, Irish Minister of State, with special responsibility for planning & heritage has commenced a focused review of the Retail Planning Guidelines.

The Retail Planning Guidelines were published in 2001 and were amended in 2005. Minister Cuffe said: "Since the Guidelines were introduced in 2001, Ireland has undergone considerable economic and demographic change, particularly in settlement patterns. We are now in a period of economic downturn, with consequential reduced retail demand. However, forward planning must be realistic and responsive to all emerging social and economic scenarios. The review is, therefore, timely."

The principles which will guide the review are that competition to the benefit of the consumer should be maintained and enhanced; preferred locations for retail development should continue to be guided by considerations of sustainable land use, including access by public transport; new retail development should be encouraged to contribute to the vitality and vibrancy of town and village centres, to ensure that they retain retailing as a core function and realistic, forward-looking strategies for plan-led retail development are devised and that planning authorities, developers and shop owners are given clear guidance in formulating development or expansion proposals.

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An Issues Paper has been prepared by the Department and is now being published for public consultation. The Issues Paper focuses on the high-level or strategic issues for retail planning going forward. The responses to the Issues Paper will help inform the preparation of draft new Guidelines which will issue for public consultation before the end of the year. A questionnaire is attached to the Issues Paper in order to elicit views on the issues to be addressed. The Issues Paper and questionnaire are available to view and download from the Department’s website at Here. Responses are required by 30 July.

Minister Cuffe added: "Retail strategies are prepared by planning authorities as part of the development plan, within the policy framework set out in the national guidelines. It is crucial that retail strategies are forward-looking and realistic, and they must balance development needs with the need to protect the vitality and viability of existing town and village centres. In essence retail planning is about what type of retail development is wanted and where it is wanted for the sustainable development of the areas and the communities they serve. In this context, as with all forward planning, it is important to ensure that retail development is plan-led and not developer-led. I hope that all interested organisations and individuals take the opportunity to respond with their views before 30 July, and all submissions and comments will be welcome and given serious consideration."

(NS/BMcC)