Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald and Minister of State for Planning, Paudie Coffey have proposed new powers for City and County Councils to regulate the planning of off-licences, pubs and nightclubs.
The Ministers have agreed to a proposal that would allow councils to include objectives relating to “regulating, restricting or controlling the development of licensed premises” in their Development Plans.
In a statement today (January 8), Minister Fitzgerald said, “Pubs, off-licences and nightclubs are a normal feature of any town or city in Ireland. However, in some towns and cities we are seeing an unsustainable proliferation of off-licences along single streets or in historic or tourist areas.”
She added that this has lead to concerns about the attractiveness and commercial vitality of these areas, while prompting fears regarding public order.
“I think it is only right that local councils should have a role in regulating the proliferation of new licensed premises through the Development Plan process,” Fitzgerald said.
According to Minister of State, Coffey “This proposed change will provide for greater alignment between the planning and licensing systems and will give communities, through their councillors, a say in local policies on provisions of new licensed premises.”
The proposal has been included in the Head and General Scheme of the new Planning & Development Amendment Bill, published by the Department of Environment, Communities and Local Government.
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
