Fast-food shop application sparks call for retail strategy
By Mary Dennehy
A PLANNING application to introduce a pizza take-out shop on Tallaght’s High Street has been met with objection due to the “proliferation” of such 
outlets in the area – with calls also being made for a positive, rates-led approach to attracting retail mixes into the village. According to TCC’s submission: “TCC is not anti-development but will strongly strive for balanced development and a robust diverse mix of retail outlets in the historic village area and the immediate adjoining street.”
A planning application has been lodged with South Dublin County Council for the change of use of an existing taxi office to a pizza take-away shop in the Tallaght Retail Centre on the High Street.
Lodged by applicant William Shaw, the planning application has received six objections in the past two weeks, one from Tallaght Community Council [TCC] and five from local politicians, including Labour Deputy Eamonn Maloney, Independent councillor Dermot Richardson, Independent councillor Deirdre O’ Donovan, AAA councillor Mick Murphy and Sinn Féin councillor Maire Devine.
According to TCC’s submission: “TCC is not anti-development but will strongly strive for balanced development and a robust diverse mix of retail outlets in the historic village area and the immediate adjoining street.”
The community group cited an overabundance of one type of outlet in the village, limited parking, the contravention of land-use strategy and cultural objectives, and the national health strategy as their reasons for objections.
The group added: “TCC is not [against] this particular applicant but feels strongly that on the grounds of proper planning for this area and encouraging healthy eating by providing a wider range of fresh, high-quality food outlets in a bistro/restaurant scenario – this application should be refused.
“TCC also believe a positive policy move to actively encourage independent traders, cultural night-time outlets and less car-intensive retail mixes needs to be incentivised (rates led) in the High Street to avoid it being a daytime only, fast-food and legal-services street.”
Debate over the introduction of attractive rates for small and medium businesses, to encourage mixed retail in villages, have recently been discussed by other local authorities in Dublin.
When asked if South Dublin County Council could consider a rates-led scheme for villages, a spokeswoman replied: “The annual rate on valuation has not changed following a series of reductions totalling 5.3 per cent which were applied between 2009 and 2012.
“This has delivered savings of €6.5m per annum since 2012 for ratepayers in South Dublin.
“In addition the council allocated €1.1m funding in the 2015 budget for a range of initiatives, including the business support grant, shopfront grant scheme, retail support and Chamber projects to support SMEs and enhance local business opportunities.”
The spokeswoman added: “The decision about the cost of commercial rates is made at the annual budget meeting each year and is made by the members following consideration of the budget requirements for the following year and projected incomes to fund these activities.”
The annual rate valuation for next year will be adopted at the 2016 budget meeting this November.
