Cllr questions TDs on one-off rural housing policy
Meath's Fine Gael and Fianna Fail TDs are coming under pressure from councillors to indicate their stance on one off rural housing, in light of proposals in the draft county development plan.
The proposed new plan which will shape the future of development in Meath over the next decade proposed that only those who own farmland and can show need for housing will be allowed build one off rural housing in the county.
According to Ratoath councillor, Nick Killian, the policy is in keeping with directions from the Housing Department, but it is one that the majority of Meath councillors are opposed to.
“I am seeking answers from Meath TDs and senators as where their party policy stands on one off rural housing."
“In particular, I am directing this question to Deputies McEntee, English and Byrne. The Draft County Development Plan would bring and end to one off rural housing unless you own 25 acres of land. The majority of Meath councillors are opposed to this. The policy came under the direction of Fine Gael Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy,” Cllr Killian stated.
"My concern is that in the negotiations for Government, FF and FG will agree to a deal with the Greens to completely bring an end to rural one off housing. The Greens tried to do it when in Government with FF in 2009, but did not succeed. I am now calling on all three parties to explicitly outline where each party stands on rural one offs. Rural people who have contacted me over the past weeks are exceedingly worried about rural life going into the future with the Greens in Government.
A report on on the 1,400 plus submissions made by the public on the new Meath County Development Plan will go before county councillors at the the end of July.
At the end of October there will be approximately three days of meetings for county councillors to make amendments and the document will likely be published in April 2021, coming into effect in May 2021 assuming there is no judicial reviews against it.
Cllr Paddy Meade has also expressed concern at the proposals and said there is a lot of opposition to it in the county and a meeting on this issue in Meath Hill before the lockdown was attended by someone from almost every house in the area.
Deputies McEntee, English and Byrne were approached for comment.
Minister Helen McEntee said rural one-off housing is part of the fabric of Rural Ireland.
"I believe that rural people should be allowed build in rural areas and I made a submission to that end for the Meath County Development Plan, currently being considered. Provisions for such housing are catered for in the National Planning Framework 2040. There are no plans to include a ban on one-off rural dwellings within the programme for government," she stated.