Volume 1 Written Statement

Chapter 4: Retail Strategy
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Retail Warehousing / Bulky Goods
4.40 The quality and provision of retail warehousing / bulky goods facilities throughout the Metropolitan
area varies considerably, from planned Retail Parks such as Mahon and Blackpool, to ad-hoc retail
warehouses within industrial zones such as the Tramore Road.
4.41 The capacity assessment of the retail study demonstrates that there is potential for additional retail
warehouse development over the period of the strategy (57,555 sq.m. by 2022). The key consideration
in determining the distribution of floorspace is the appropriate and sustainable location for such retail
activity.
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4.42 In accordance with the Retail Planning Guidelines there will be a presumption against the development
of out-of-town retail parks and a preference for sites in or adjacent to the District Centres. Certain sites
within Docklands may also be appropriate.
4.43 It is important that the range of goods sold in retail parks/retail warehouses is tightly controlled to
protect the comparison shopping function of the city centre and other comparison locations identified
in the hierarchy. The Retail Planning Guidelines acknowledge that there are ancillary items associated
with an otherwise bulky good but recommend that the retail floorspace devoted to such ancillary
products should not exceed 20% of the total net retail floorspace of the relevant retail warehouse unit.
Objective 4.12 Location of Retail Warehousing
To improve the quality of retail warehouse / bulky goods floorspace throughout the Metropolitan area, in
accordance with the retail hierarchy and settlement strategy. The preferred location for new retail
warehousing/bulky goods floorspace is within or District Centres or other lands zoned for retail warehousing,
as opposed to the development of out-of-town retail parks or locating within industrial estates / business parks.
Objective 4.13 Retail Warehousing
It is an objective that the range of goods sold in retail warehouses be restricted to the sale of bulky household
items. The floorspace within retail warehouse / bulky goods units devoted to ‘ancillary products’ shall not exceed
20% of the total net retail floorspace of the relevant retail warehouse / bulky goods unit.
Assessing Retail Developments
4.44 Retail planning proposals must comply with the criteria of location, suitability of use, size and scale,
and accessibility set out in the Planning Guidelines and the Joint Retail Strategy. All retail planning
proposals must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the planning authority that it complies with the
objectives of the Development Plan and the sequential approach to the location of development as
prescribed in the Retail Planning Guidelines.
The Sequential Approach to Location of Retail
4.45 The order of priority is to locate retail development in the city centre and designated district centres
and to only allow retail development in edge-of-centre or out-of-centre locations where all other options
have been exhausted. Where an edge of centre site is proposed, the applicant must demonstrate that
no other sites or potential sites including vacant units are suitable, available and viable within the centre.
Where an out-of-centre site is proposed, the applicant must demonstrate that no other sites or potential
sites including vacant units are suitable, available and viable within the centre or on the edge of the
centre. Only in exceptional circumstances can such sites be considered.
Draft Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021
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