Chapter 7
Economy and Employment
Issues / Recommendations / Observations
Sub. No.
Chief Executive’s Response & Recommendation
cafés are away from the main street, turning the town away from the main street.
centres into the future”. Paragraph 7.83 states “Cork City Centre is the main business, retail and leisure location in the Cork Metropolitan Area and is recognised by the Cork Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) as playing a Level 1 retail role (Metropolitan Centre)”. Recommendation: No change. Section 7.87 references the Retail Planning Guidelines in defining the characteristics of a Neighbourhood and Local Centres. The role and nature of settlements of various sizes and scales and their required related infrastructure is set out in Chapter 3 Delivering Homes and Communities. This takes into account the concept of the “15 - Minute City”. A key part of the success and vitality of neighbourhood and local centres is that they provide for a mix of uses to serve the community they serve and are not dominated by one particular use which could damage their vitality and feasibility. It is therefore considered essential that they be protected from inappropriate forms of development and that the text as set out in the Draft Plan remain. Recommendation: No Change.
Submits that the retail planning policies and objectives of the Development Plan should be consistent with the provisions of the Retail Planning Guidelines (2012), reflecting the changes in the sector in recent years and to provide the appropriate policy context to facilitate the existing and expanding network of stores in Cork City. Specifically requests that the defining criteria of a Neighbourhood Centre / Local Centre as detailed under section 7.87 Neighbourhood and Local Centres should not be ‘restrictive’ in nature, but rather consistent with the definition as presented within the Retail Planning Guidelines (2012) and amended to omit the following reference, which states that they: are generally anchored by a small or medium sized convenience store and tend to include a number of smaller, associated local service units that enhance the overall appeal of the centre in terms of service provision and design. It is essential that they are mixed-use centres incorporating a range of local services. It is submitted that the following line should also be omitted: ensuring that the centre is not overtly dominated by one particular unit or use.
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