Dempsey rejects CIF claims over delays caused by planning system

The Government will not be panicked into compromising the planning regime by "very unwarranted" criticisms by the Construction Industry Federation of the current system, according to the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey.

"We have to try to ensure, particularly during the present economic boom, that we don't create a whole new set of mistakes," due to development proposals being inadequately examined by local authorities or by An Bord Pleanala, he said.

Speaking yesterday at the presentation of the National Planning Awards Mr Dempsey rejected the CIF's claim that the system was delaying major investment projects and said he had asked the local authorities to consider the need to employ more planners. He had also provided additional resources to the appeals board.

Although the "relentless increase" in the number of appeals meant that the time taken to dispose of them had continued to lengthen, he said, his Department was now discussing with the board further measures to increase output and clear the backlog.

He said he hoped to publish a major planning bill this summer to consolidate and modernise more than three decades of planning and development legislation.

Mr Niall Cussen, president of the Irish Planning Institute, suggested that the current economic boom had produced "unprecedented development opportunities to extract environmental excellence and private-sector support for the development of infrastructure and public amenities".

Mr Michael Starrett, chief executive of the Heritage Council, which co-sponsors the awards, stressed that the planning profession had a crucial role to play in protecting Ireland's national heritage. He welcomed the growing awareness of this need.

Cork Corporation won both the Planning Achievement Award and Conservation Award for its historic area pilot project centred on the North Main Street in the city, as well as a certificate of merit for the Gate multiplex cinema and hostel on the city's quays.

Three runners-up for the main award were Galway County Council, for its urban and village renewal scheme; Ballymun Regeneration Ltd, for its master plan for the new Ballymun; and the South Dublin Urban Initiative, for its plan for Jobstown. This community-based initiative in Tallaght has already won the Royal Town Planning Institute's Planning Achievement Award.

Two other awards were also presented yesterday, to O'Mahony Pike, architects, for redevelopment of the Johnston Mooney and O'Brien site in Ballsbridge, Dublin, and to Mr Billy Houlihan, deputy Cork county architect, for outstanding work in west Cork.

The awards were co-sponsored by Boots chemists and the scheme was organised by the Irish Planning Institute.