The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, has given approval to the Grand Canal Docks planning scheme in Dublin.
Mr Dempsey's decision clears the way for the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) to proceed with the implementation of a key element of its overall plan for the Dublin docklands.
Applications for planning for the area will now be taken out of the normal planning process. Development in the area covered by the scheme, and which complies with it, will be exempt from the requirement to obtain planning permission.
"The planning scheme approach will facilitate in a coherent, integrated and accelerated fashion the development of the Grand Canal Basin," Mr Dempsey said yesterday.
Last March the Minister made an order specifying the Grand Canal Docks Area as an area from which the DDDA could prepare a planning scheme under the 1997 Act.
The authority prepared the scheme and submitted it for the Minister's approval.
The area comprises lands around the Grand Canal Docks, covering 29.2 hectares, with an additional 9 hectares of water space provided by the inner and outer canal basins.
Most of the area fronts either the Liffey, the Canal Basins or the Dodder.
The Minister granted the approval subject to a number of modifications, including that it is in keeping with the housing strategy of Dublin Corporation.
Applications made for development within a zone which has been identified as being of archaeological interest must be carried out in consultation with Duchas.
Buildings must not be any higher than four storeys on the Thorncastle Street facade.
However, storeys further back or buildings facing north are not subject to the same restriction.
The plan contains a specific allowance for a high landmark building, of over 30 storeys, which when built would be the highest building in the city.