State urged to act on planning reforms for one-off rural housing

RESTRICTIONS on one-off housing in rural areas are set to become the biggest issue in next year’s local elections unless the Government follows through on its plans to reform planning legislation, the Irish Rural Dwellers Association (IRDA) has warned.

Although the IRDA welcomed the Taoiseach’s announcement on Thursday that he was determined to change planning laws, the Association said it was time for the Government to fulfil its promises on the issue.

The IRDA claims any fundamental reform of legislation affecting one-off rural housing would also necessitate a radical change to the operations of the planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála.