Government agree new rules to ease planning conditions for rural housing

The Government has agreed on new rules that will make it easier for people seeking to build homes in rural and Gaeltacht areas or who have faced uncertainty and inconsistent planning decisions depending on where they lived.

This morning (Tuesday) Cabinet endorsed the Draft Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing National Planning Statement, described as a more consistent approach to rural housing across Ireland.

Key recommendations from the Statement will ease some planning restrictions including allowing new rural homes to be built, along with preventing urban sprawl, as well as regenerating rural towns and villages.

Those wishing to build a home will be able to demonstrate local need.

Generally, people must have lived in a rural area for up to seven years of their life and their site must be close to that locality, typically somewhere between 3km and 10km.

In Gaeltacht areas, as things stand, the applicant must live within 3km of the site, although there might be some flexibility on this, and they must have lived there for 10 years.

However, this requirement will be just five years for people who speak Irish.

People whose job depends on living in a rural area will see the planning process become less onerous and better serve sectors such as farming, equine, forestry, and teachers in local schools.

Planning will be granted on condition that the house is used as a permanent main home for at least ten years and it cannot be used for short-term rentals during that time.

“This is very welcome news for rural communities in Meath and across the country, said Minister for EU Affairs and Meath East TD, Thomas Byrne. “For too long, people seeking to build homes in rural areas have faced uncertainty and inconsistent planning decisions depending on where they lived. This new National Planning Statement will bring much-needed clarity, fairness and consistency to the system.

“The proposed reforms will ensure that planning applications are assessed on their merits, while supporting sustainable rural development and protecting the character of our countryside. Importantly, it will help end the current situation where neighbouring local authority areas can apply very different standards to similar applications.”

Minister Byrne also welcomed the Statement’s focus on supporting vibrant rural towns and villages, increasing housing choice, and tackling barriers to development such as vacancy, dereliction and infrastructure deficits.

“Strong rural communities are vital to County Meath and to Ireland as a whole. These reforms will provide greater certainty for families, support balanced regional development and help meet the housing needs of people who want to live and work in rural areas.”

The Draft National Planning Statement will now proceed through the required environmental assessment process before being finalised and brought before Government for approval.