'Cafe clusters' face crackdown in war on sugar

Councillors who are members of South Dublin County Council are meeting today to debate the draft development plan to run from 2016 to 2022.

One section of the development plan highlights how it is the policy of the council to manage the provision of fast-food outlets and takeaways.

The objective is to "prevent an excessive concentration of fast-food outlets and takeaways, and ensure that the intensity of any proposed use is in keeping with both the scale of the relevant building and the pattern of development in the area".

SECTION

A similar section in the current plan has been the basis for refusal of planning permission of a number of proposed takeaways throughout the county.

Independent councillor Deirdre O'Donovan has put down a controversial motion for debate today that this policy should be amended to include cafes, given the rise in sugar addition.

Her motion is co-sponsored by councillor Francis Duffy of the Green party, and Independent councillors Paul Gogarty, Francis Timmons, Gus O'Connell and Liona O'Toole.

Speaking to the Herald, Cllr O'Donovan said that she wanted it on the agenda so there could be a discussion about it.

"There is an obesity epidemic," she said.

"We were told all along that fat is what is going to make you fat. The evidence we have now is 'well actually, not all fat is bad'.

"They are talking about chippers and fast food outlets. I am saying well, sugar is what's killing us.

"Sugar is what's making our children fat. So we need to have that conversation.

"I think the occasional bun is fantastic, the same way as the occasional fish and chips is okay," she said.

"I would like to see a common sense approach to a problem that is going to affect all of us.

"From a social point of view it's fantastic to have cafes where you can go and meet your friends," she said.

duty

"The whole point of this county development plan is to look at how the people within South Dublin County Council live for the next five years, and it is our duty to look at the options and to look at everything," Cllr O'Donovan said.

Meanwhile, councillor Paul Gogarty said that the draft plan will go on public consultation between July and September.

One informed source said that if passed, the motion could effectively prohibit the development of clusters of cafes - by prohibiting new cafes from opening where existing ones already operate.

The meeting takes place this afternoon.