Restaurants should add benefits, says Irish body
31 May 2001
Restaurants, cafés and fast-food shops should only be clustered around town centres if they can show they are benefiting tourism or improving the vitality of an area, according to draft guidance from Northern Ireland's Department of the Environment (DoE).
Too many restaurants can seriously harm the character of a shopping area, the draft guidance warned.
It also suggested the public should not "reasonably expect" restaurants and cafés in predominantly residential areas to be open on Sundays.
The document, Development Control Advice Note 4, is aimed at planners and developers which want to open restaurants, fast-food bars or cafés. The consultation period will run until 6 July.
It is available from the DoE on 02890 540111.
