COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

MOTION NO. 162

MOTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

Economic Development and Employment Section: Introduce a new bullet as follows : Acknowledging how out of town shopping centres have reduced economic activity in village centres accross the county, support economic activities such as street markets and outdoor seating that can regenerate footfall and economic activity in village centres.

REPORT:

The South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 will continue to promote our village centres as it has in previous development plans in order to regenerate footfall and economic activity in shops and streets.

An economic analysis is currently being carried out in order to inform the preparation of the Draft County Development Plan. One aim of this study is to provide a high-level analysis of the impact that new ways of shopping is having/will have on existing retail outlets and the impact any changes may have on town, local and village centres.

The policy proposed is overly detailed for the Strategic Direction Stage of the Plan making process and would potentially involve licensing issues outside the remit of the Development Plan. However, at the draft plan stage the issues raised can be addressed on foot of policy recommendation set out in Part 3 of the CE Report for 2022-2028 Plan, bullet No. 4 under Economic Development and Employment addresses this matter providing for the ‘review of the existing retail hierarchy within the County having regard to the Greater Dublin Area Retail Strategy, or any superseding strategy, and explore the opportunity to strengthen the retail function in the county’.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this motion is adopted with amendment. As this type of policy provision or objective is overly detailed for this strategic stage, it can be considered as part of the draft plan preparation on foot of the CE Strategic Recommendation (See Part 3) page 31 as follows:

‘Review the existing retail hierarchy within the County having regard to the Greater Dublin Area Retail Strategy, or any superseding strategy, and explore the opportunity to strengthen the retail function in the county’.