VARIOUS opinion exists regarding the rezoning of an out-of-town retail park in Monaghan Town for full retail use.

This re-zoning certainly has implications for the entire county. The out-of-town retail park issue is something of an old chestnut which has been discussed the length and breadth of Ireland north and south and with good reason.

A fear exists among the established retailers in our county towns, as elsewhere, that the opening of these retail parks could represent a major threat to their business – business which has paid the rates for years and which are, effectively, the life blood of town development.

They could be a threat. Town centre jobs could be at risk too. On the other hand most consumers have cars nowadays and, as we have seen in our county in recent weeks, town centre parking can no longer be taken for granted. It must also be remembered that home grown customers have, for years, been going to other neighbouring towns where these retail parks exist.

Such retail developments bring added choice to the consumer and competition, as they say, is the life of trade. There will also be a considerable extra rates windfall for either the County or Town Council. Like it or not out of town centre retail parks are the norm throughout most of the rest of Europe.

Was the council right to rezone its Monaghan retail park? which might just have opened the planning flood gates throughout Monaghan.

Where will it end? That is the real question.