Chance discovery spells end of ‘locals only’ restriction on one-off housing

The Law Society warned of the legality of the ‘locals only’ planning rule back in 2005. The discovery of an EU ruling by a Sligo councillor indicates that it is unlawful, writes Special Correspondent Michael Clifford.

Michael Clark stumbled across the ruling. The Sligo councillor was doing a bit of work with his local community council, trying to find ways to arrest the decline in their bailiwick of West Sligo.

He was googling “free movement of people” when up popped the ruling from the European Court of Justice about restrictions in housing.