ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE:"DEZONING" OF land from a development designation back to agricultural usage should only be done "as a last resort", according to Minister of State Ciarán Cuffe.

Mr Cuffe, who has special responsibility for planning and heritage, said local authorities had a number of options for thousands of acres across the country which were rezoned at the height of the economic boom.

The options included changes in zoning, particularly from out-of-town shopping malls to phased residential development.

Introducing a number of amendments to the Planning and Development Bill yesterday, Mr Cuffe told the Dáil environment committee that the adoption of “phasing” the development of zoned land could be chosen, as was happening in Co Clare.

Responding to concerns from Cork South West TD Christy O’Sullivan that people may be ruined by land being dezoned, Mr Cuffe said zonings could be retained, with the local authority adopting a core strategy of development in a sequential fashion. Land close to the centre of the settlement would be developed first, with land “further out the road” being developed later.

He said this could particularly apply to situations where land was zoned for commerical development on the outskirts of town, typically close to motorways. The Minister agreed with FF TD Johnny Brady that this kind of development often ruined businesses which had been built up in the centre of towns for over 100 years.

Developers could apply to change the out-of-town zoning to housing, and take their turn in the phasing of development.

Mr Cuffe said Castlepollard in Co Westmeath was an example of a place that had developed well with a core village green and mainly good quality social and private housing close to the town.

Consideration of amendments is to continue on Tuesday.